Comprehensive Psychology: Classical & Operant Conditioning, Learning Types, and Behavior Modification

What is learning?

Any relatively permanent changes in behavior brought about by experience or practice.

What is classical conditioning?

A learning process that applies to involuntary learned responses, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

What is an unconditioned response?

A reflexive, involuntary response that occurs naturally in reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

What is a neutral stimulus in classical conditioning?

A stimulus that does not normally elicit a response until it is paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

What are the basic principles of classical conditioning?

1. Neural stimulation should precede the unconditioned stimulus. 2. The two stimuli should be close in time (within 5 seconds). 3. Pairing should be repeated frequently. 4. The neutral stimulus should be distinct from other stimuli.

What is stimulus generalization?

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of a learned response after extinction has occurred.

What is a conditioned emotional response (CER)?

An emotional response that has become classically conditioned to occur in reaction to learned stimuli.

What is vicarious conditioning?

Classical conditioning of an involuntary response or emotion by observing the reaction of another person.

What is biological preparedness?

The tendency of animals to learn certain associations, such as taste and nausea, with only one or few pairings due to survival value.

What is operant conditioning?

The learning of voluntary behavior through the effects of pleasant and unpleasant consequences to responses.

What is Thorndike's law of effect?

If an action is followed by a pleasurable response, it will tend to be repeated; if followed by an unpleasant consequence, it will tend not to be repeated.

What is reinforcement in operant conditioning?

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

What is the difference between primary and secondary reinforcers?

Primary reinforcers meet a basic need (e.g., food), while secondary reinforcers are learned and usually reinforce after being paired with primary reinforcers.

What is the difference between positive and negative reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement adds something pleasant, while negative reinforcement removes something unpleasant.

What is continuous reinforcement?

A reinforcement schedule where every correct response is reinforced.

What is partial reinforcement?

A reinforcement schedule where only some correct responses are reinforced.

What is punishment in operant conditioning?

Any consequence that makes a response less likely to happen again.

What are the two types of punishment?

Punishment by application (adding something unpleasant) and punishment by removal (removing something unpleasant).

What is behavior modification?

The use of learning techniques to bring about desired changes in behavior.

What is a token economy?

A system that uses tokens to reinforce behavior, which can be exchanged for desired items or privileges.

What is latent learning?

Learning that remains hidden until its application becomes useful.

What is insight learning?

The sudden perception of relationships among various parts of a problem, allowing for a quick solution.

What is learned helplessness?

The tendency to fail to act to escape from a situation due to a history of repeated failures.

What is observational learning?

Learning new behavior by watching a model perform that behavior.

What are the four elements of observational learning?

Attention, memory, imitation, and desire/motivation.