Chapter 6: Learning

This set of flashcards covers the key vocabulary and definitions related to the chapter on learning, including types of learning, classical and operant conditioning, and related concepts.

Learning

Any relatively permanent change in behavior brought about through experience.

Non-associative Learning

Learning about a stimulus, such as a sight, touch, taste or a sound, in the external world.

Associative Learning

Learning the relationship between two pieces of information. (horror movies, scary scene and the music as in classical conditioning.)

Habituation

When our behavioral response to a stimulus decreases.

Sensitization

When our behavioral response to a stimulus increases.

Classical Conditioning

Learning that one stimulus can predict another stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

Learning that a behavior leads to a certain outcome.

Observational Learning

Learning or changing a behavior after watching a person engage in that behavior.

Modeling

You imitate another person’s previously observed behavior.

Vicarious Conditioning

Learning to engage in a behavior or not, after seeing others being rewarded or punished for performing that action.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially produces no response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally elicits a response without conditioning.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The natural response elicited by an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after conditioning, elicits a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to a conditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The phase of classical conditioning when the CS and UCS are paired.

Extinction

The process of diminishing a conditioned response.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of non-exposure to the conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to differentiate among related stimuli.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency of stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Counterconditioning

A behavioral technique that involves replacing an undesirable response to a stimulus with a desirable one.

Preparedness

A concept suggesting that organisms are predisposed to learn certain associations.

Negative Reinforcement

Removal or avoidance of a negative event, which increases the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

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

Punishment

A negative consequence that leads to a reduction in the frequency of a behavior.

Premack Principle

A more valued activity can be used to reinforce the performance of a less valued activity.

Schedules of Reinforcement

The timing and frequency of reinforcement in operant conditioning.

Fixed Interval Schedule

A schedule in which reinforcement is provided after a specific amount of time has passed.

Variable Interval Schedule

A schedule of reinforcement where the time between reinforcements is varied.

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.

Escape Conditioning

A type of negative reinforcement where a behavior results in the escape from an unpleasant stimulus.

Avoidance Conditioning

A behavior is learned to avoid a negative stimulus before it occurs.

Shaping

Reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired behavior.

Behavior Modification

Application of learning principles to strengthen adaptive behavior and weaken maladaptive behavior.

Token Economy Program

A behavior modification program that uses tokens as reinforcement for desired behaviors.

Observational Learning

Learning by observing others' behaviors and the consequences that result.

Vicarious Reinforcement

Learning by observing the reinforcement of another's behavior.

Vicarious Punishment

Learning by observing the punishment of another's behavior.

Little Albert Experiment

A classical conditioning experiment that demonstrated how phobias can be learned through conditioning.

Disinhibition

The reappearance of a conditioned response when an unrelated intense stimulus occurs.

Abusive Punishment

Punishment that can lead to undesired consequences and is often inappropriate.