Psychology in Everyday Life: Learning

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to learning, including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.

Learning

Acquisition of new and relatively enduring information or behaviors through experience.

Associative learning

Learning that certain events occur together, such as two stimuli in classical conditioning or a response and its consequences in operant conditioning.

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning where one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.

Neutral stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that evokes no response before conditioning.

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

A stimulus that unconditionally, naturally, and automatically triggers a response.

Unconditioned response (UR)

An unlearned and naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral but now conditioned stimulus.

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

An irrelevant stimulus that triggers a conditioned response after association with an unconditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial stage in classical conditioning where a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus.

Extinction

The weakening of a conditioned response when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow the conditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous recovery

The reappearance of a weakened conditioned response after a pause.

Generalization

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

Discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and similar stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process where one learns to associate an action with its consequences, which influences behavior.

Positive reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior.

Negative reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior.

Punishment

An event that decreases a behavior by administering a negative stimulus.

Primary reinforcers

Unlearned and innate reinforcers that often satisfy a biological need.

Conditioned reinforcement (secondary reinforcer)

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

Continuous reinforcement

Reinforcing a desired response every time it occurs.

Partial reinforcement

Reinforcement that is not given every time the desired response occurs, leading to greater resistance to extinction.

Latent learning

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

Observation learning

Learning by observing others, which includes modeling and vicarious reinforcement.

Mirror neurons

Neurons that fire when one performs an action and when one observes others performing that action.

Prosocial behavior

Positive, helpful behaviors that can be modeled and learned through observation.