Psyc 181 Exam 1

Correlational Coefficients

measure strength of a relationship between variables (range from -1.00 to +1.00)

Strong Correlation

(+/-) .90

Weak Correlation

(+/-) .10

Positive Correlation

Both variables move in the same direction

Negative Correlation

As one variable increases, the other decreases

Independent Variable

The variable being manipulated

Dependent Variable

Measurable response to the independent variable

Classical Conditioning

We notice that two stimuli occur in a sequence so we associate those stimuli with each other

Stimulus

cause/antecedent

Response

Effect/consequence/reaction to stimulus

Unconditioned Stimulus

naturally and automatically triggers a response

Unconditioned Response

Unlearned and naturally occuring reaction to UCS

Neutral Stimulus

Evokes no response before conditioning

Conditioned Stimulus

Irrelevant stimulus that triggers a conditioned response after association with an UCS

Conditioned Response

Learned response to a previously neutral but now conditioned stimulus

Reinforcement

Goal of increasing behaviors

Primary Reinforcers

satisfy a basic biological need, such as

hunger or thirst

Secondary Reinforcers

become satisfying through association with

primary reinforcers

Positive Reinforcement

Strengthen response by adding pleasurable consequence ex. praise for good work

Negative Reinforcement

Strengthen response by removing undesirable consequence ex. seatbelt beep

Positive Punishment

You add something unpleasant ex. spanking child

Negative Punishment

You take away something pleasant ex. no tv time

Ratio Schedules

Rewards based on behaviors/amounts

Fixed Ratio Schedules

Reinforcement occurs after a set number of responses/behaviors

Variable Ratio Schedules

Reinforcement occurs after varying & unpredictable number of responses/behaviors

Interval Schedules

Rewards based on time passed

Fixed Interval Schedules

Reinforcement occurs after a set time period

Variable Interval Schedules

reinforcement occurs after an unpredictable amount of time

Memory

Our brain's method of filing info and retrieving it when needed

Implicit (Encoding)

Retention learned from skills, or classically conditioned associations, without conscious awareness, formed via automatic processing ex. knowing how to tie your shoes

Explicit (Encoding)

Retention of facts and personal events that can be consciously retrieved; formed via effortful processing ex. remembering Paris is the capital of France

Iconic (short term)

the visual aspect of a sensory memory, lasts for a few 10ths of a half second

Echoic (short term)

Auditory sensory memory that involves the ability to briefly and accurately remember sounds for about 3-4 seconds

Semantic (long term)

General knowing of facts (explicit)

Episodic (long term)

Memory for events or experiences (explicit)

Priming (long term)

Unconscious mental process where an early cue helps your brain retrieve information from long term memory faster (Implicit)

Procedural (long term)

Memory for motor skills and/or actions (implicit)

Proactive Interference

Later information alters earlier memories ex. getting a new phone number and keep entering the old one

Retroactive Interference

New information alters older memories ex. change password and cant remember the old one

Retrograde Amnesia

Inability to retrieve memory of the past

Anterograde Amnesia

Inability to form new long term declarative/explicit memories