Chapter 1-7 Learning Theory Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering learning, classical and operant conditioning, observational learning, and related concepts from the chapter.

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge that results from experience.

Instinct

Innate, unlearned behavior patterns that are triggered by a broader range of events and are usually more complex.

Reflex

A motor or neural response to a specific environmental stimulus, typically simple and automatic.

Classical conditioning

A learning process that pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Operant conditioning

A learning process in which behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on their consequences (reinforcement or punishment).

Observational learning

Learning by watching others and then imitating their behavior.

Associative learning

Learning that involves forming connections between two or more events or stimuli.

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally elicits a reflex without prior learning.

Unconditioned response (UCR)

A natural, unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Neutral stimulus

A stimulus that does not naturally elicit a response before conditioning.

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that comes to elicit a response after being paired with a UCS.

Conditioned response (CR)

A learned response to the conditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial learning phase where the CS and UCS are paired and the CR begins to occur.

Extinction

A decrease in the conditioned response when the CS is presented without the UCS.

Spontaneous recovery

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

Stimulus generalization

The tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that are similar to the CS.

Stimulus discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between the CS and similar but non-predictive stimuli.

Higher-order conditioning

Using a conditioned stimulus to condition another neutral stimulus (second-order conditioning).

Taste aversion

A learned avoidance of a particular taste after illness, often with a long CS-UCS interval.

Ivan Pavlov

Russian physiologist who demonstrated classical conditioning in dogs by pairing a neutral stimulus with food-related stimuli.

Pavlovian conditioning

Another term for classical conditioning, highlighting the conditioned associations formed.

Neutral stimulus becoming CS

The process by which a neutral stimulus, when paired with UCS, begins to elicit the CR.

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) example

An event like meat powder that naturally elicits salivation without learning.

Conditioned stimulus (CS) example

A previously neutral cue (e.g., a bell) that begins to elicit salivation after pairing with UCS.

Acquisition vs extinction dynamics

Acquisition strengthens the CS–UCS association; extinction weakens it when the CS is presented alone.

Classical conditioning in real world

Situations like lightning predicting thunder or a dog learning to respond to a bell after conditioning.

Pavlov’s dogs’ two responses

UCS (meat powder) elicits UCR (salivation); neutral stimulus (bell) becomes CS and elicits CR (salivation).

Taste aversion biology

A learning bias where flavors paired with illness are avoided, often with long delays between CS and UCS, showing biological constraints.

John B. Watson

Founder of behaviorism who demonstrated conditioned emotional responses (e.g., Little Albert).

Little Albert

Baby subject in a classical conditioning experiment showing fear responses to neutral stimuli paired with a loud noise.

Operant conditioning

Learning that links a behavior with its consequence (reinforcement or punishment).

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Positive reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior.

Negative reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior.

Positive punishment

Adding an aversive stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Negative punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Primary reinforcer

Innate reinforcers that satisfy basic biological needs (food, water, sleep, shelter, sex, touch).

Secondary reinforcer

Reinforcers that acquire value through association with a primary reinforcer (praise, money, tokens).

Token economy

Behavior modification system using tokens that can be exchanged for rewards.

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior.

Continuous reinforcement

Reinforcing every correct response; fastest way to establish a behavior.

Partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Reinforcement that is not given after every response; includes fixed/variable and interval/ratio schedules.

Fixed interval

Reinforcement after a set amount of time.

Variable interval

Reinforcement after varying time intervals; unpredictable.

Fixed ratio

Reinforcement after a set number of responses.

Variable ratio

Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses; highly resistant to extinction (e.g., gambling).

Skinner Box

Operant conditioning chamber used to study reinforcement with animals.

B.F. Skinner

Behaviorist who formalized operant conditioning and developed the Skinner Box and teaching machine.

Bandura

Psychologist who proposed social learning theory, emphasizing observational learning and cognitive processes.

Modeling

Imitating or reproducing the behavior of a model (live, verbal, or symbolic).

Live, verbal, symbolic models

Three types of models observed in observational learning: in-person, described, and fictional/media-based.

Mirror neurons

Neurons that fire both when performing an action and when observing the same action, supporting imitation.

Attention, retention, reproduction, motivation

Bandura’s four steps in the modeling process for observational learning.

Vicarious reinforcement

Learning that occurs by observing the model being reinforced, which increases imitation likelihood.

Vicarious punishment

Learning that occurs by observing the model being punished, which decreases imitation likelihood.

Prosocial modeling

Observational learning that promotes positive, socially acceptable behaviors.

Antisocial modeling

Observational learning that promotes harmful or aggressive behaviors.

Latent learning

Learning that occurs without obvious reinforcement but is revealed later when beneficial.

Cognitive map

Mental representation of the layout of an environment learned through experience.

Tolman

Psychologist who demonstrated latent learning and cognitive maps in rats.