Psych Unit 3

Ivan Pavlov

A Russian physiologist known for discovering classical conditioning through his experiments with dogs.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response (e.g., food causing salivation in dogs).

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The natural, unlearned response to the unconditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation when food is presented).

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response (e.g., a bell before conditioning).

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being associated with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response (e.g., a bell after conditioning).

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral but now conditioned stimulus (e.g., salivating at the sound of a bell).

Acquisition

The process of learning a new conditioned response by repeatedly pairing the neutral stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus.

Generalization

When a subject responds to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus (e.g., a dog salivating to a different-sounding bell).

Extinction

The weakening or disappearance of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

The ability to differentiate between similar stimuli and respond only to the conditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest.

John Watson

A psychologist who founded behaviorism, emphasizing observable behavior over internal mental states.

Little Albert Experiment

A study by Watson and Rayner in which a baby, Albert, was conditioned to fear a white rat by pairing it with loud noises.

B.F. Skinner

A psychologist known for operant conditioning and the Skinner box experiment, emphasizing reinforcement and punishment in behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior (e.g., giving candy for good behavior).

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior (e.g., taking painkillers to relieve a headache).

Positive Punishment

Adding an aversive stimulus to decrease a behavior (e.g., giving a fine for speeding).

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior (e.g., taking away a toy for bad behavior).

Observational Learning

Learning by watching others and imitating their behavior.

Albert Bandura

A psychologist known for the social learning theory, which states that people learn through observation, imitation, and modeling.

Bobo Doll Experiment

A study by Bandura demonstrating that children imitate aggressive behavior they observe in adults.

Learned Helplessness (Seligman)

A concept developed by Martin Seligman where individuals learn to feel helpless after repeated failures or exposure to uncontrollable events.

Information Processing Model

A framework that compares human memory to a computer, involving encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.

Encoding

The process of converting information into a form that can be stored in memory.

Sensory Memory

The shortest-lasting memory that holds sensory information for a few seconds or less.

Short-term Memory (STM)

Holds a limited amount of information for a short duration (about 20-30 seconds).

Long-term Memory (LTM)

Stores information indefinitely with an unlimited capacity.

Recognition

Identifying previously learned information (e.g., multiple-choice test).

Recall

Retrieving information without cues (e.g., essay test).

Chunking

Grouping information into meaningful units to enhance memory (e.g., remembering a phone number in sections).

Mnemonic Devices

Memory aids, such as acronyms or rhymes, that help recall information (e.g., "HOMES" for the Great Lakes).

Maintenance Rehearsal

Repeating information to keep it in short-term memory longer.

Decay Theory

Memory fades over time if not accessed.

Retroactive Interference

New information interferes with old information.

Proactive Interference

Old information interferes with new learning.

Semantic Memory

Memory of general knowledge, facts, and concepts (e.g., knowing the capital of France).

Episodic Memory

Memory of personal experiences and specific events (e.g., remembering your last birthday).

Procedural Memory

Memory of motor skills and how to perform tasks (e.g., riding a bike).

Noam Chomsky (innate)

A linguist who proposed that humans have an innate ability to acquire language, known as the Language Acquisition Device (LAD), supporting the idea that language learning is biologically preprogrammed.