Unit 3a - Learning Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to learning theories and mechanisms.

Associative Learning

A learning process in which a new response becomes associated with a particular stimulus.

Observational Learning

Learning by observing the behavior of others.

Shaping

The process of reinforcing successive approximations to a desired behavior.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without reinforcement and is not immediately reflected in behavior.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, begins to elicit a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli to anticipate events.

Taste Aversion

A learned aversion to a specific taste or food that has been associated with a negative outcome.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.

Extinction

The diminishing of a conditioned response when it is no longer reinforced.

Generalization

The tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond appropriately.

Higher-Order Conditioning

When a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus to create a second conditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

The re-emergence of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a pause.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of an aversive stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Punishment

The addition of an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Negative Punishment

The removal of a desirable stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of a desirable stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that rewards a response only after a specified number of responses.

Variable-Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that rewards an unpredictable number of responses.

Fixed-Interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that rewards the first response after a specified amount of time has passed.

Variable-Interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that rewards a response at unpredictable time intervals.

Partial (intermittent) Reinforcement

Reinforcing a response only part of the time, which makes the response less susceptible to extinction.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Primary Reinforcer

An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies biological needs.

Secondary Reinforcer

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer.

Law of Effect

The principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Learned Helplessness

A condition in which an individual believes they have no control over their situation, often resulting from repeated failures.

Habituation

A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated presentations.

Insight

A sudden realization of a problem's solution.

Biological Predispositions

The concept that organisms are predisposed to learn associations based on their biological makeup.

Cognitive Processes

Mental processes involved in learning that affect how information is processed and retained.

Modeling

The process of learning behaviors by observing and imitating others.

Vicarious Conditioning

Learning the consequences of an action by observing its consequences for someone else.