Psychology - Unit 3

Ivan Pavlov

A Russian physiologist known for his work in classical conditioning.

Unconditioned stimulus

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior conditioning.

Unconditioned response

An unlearned response that occurs naturally in reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Neutral stimulus

A stimulus that initially produces no specific reaction until it is associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Conditioned response

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become a conditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning when a response is first established and gradually strengthened.

Generalization

The tendency for a conditioned response to be evoked by stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Extinction

The diminishing of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer presented.

Discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous recovery

The reappearance of a weakened conditioned response after a pause, suggesting that extinction is not entirely forgotten.

John Watson

An American psychologist who established the psychological school of behaviorism.

Little Albert Experiment

A study led by John Watson and Rosalie Rayner to demonstrate that emotional responses could be conditioned in humans.

B.F. Skinner

An American psychologist best known for his work on operant conditioning and reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement

A method of increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli after the desired behavior.

Negative reinforcement

A method of increasing behaviors by removing negative stimuli after the desired behavior.

Positive punishment

The addition of a stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior's recurring.

Negative punishment

The removal of a stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior's recurring.

Observational learning

Learning that occurs through observing the behavior of others.

Albert Bandura

A psychologist known for his research on social learning theory and observational learning.

Bobo Doll Experiment

An experiment conducted by Albert Bandura demonstrating that children can learn aggressive behaviors through observation.

Learned helplessness (Seligman)

A mental state resulting from the belief that one cannot change or control a situation, leading to passive behavior.

Information processing model

A cognitive model that likens the human mind to a computer, emphasizing the processes of encoding, storage, and retrieval.

Encoding

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

Storage (Sensory, Short-term, Long-term)

The retention of encoded information over time; sensory memory holds brief inputs, short-term memory holds limited information, and long-term memory can store vast amounts of information.

Retrieval (Recognition and Recall)

The process of accessing and bringing into consciousness information stored in memory; recognition involves identifying previously learned information, while recall involves retrieving it without cues.

Chunking

A memory technique involving grouping information into larger, manageable units to aid in storage and recall.

Mnemonic devices

Techniques used to improve memory by associating complex information with simple, familiar concepts.

Maintenance rehearsal

A cognitive process of repeatedly verbalizing or thinking about information to maintain it in short-term memory.

Forgetting/Decay/Interference (Retro and Proactive)

Forgetting can occur due to decay (loss of memory over time) or interference (when new information blocks the retrieval of old information), which can be proactive (old interferes with new) or retroactive (new interferes with old).

Semantic memory

A type of long-term memory that involves the recall of factual information and concepts.

Episodic memory

A type of long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific events, situations, and experiences.

Procedural memory

A type of long-term memory for the performance of particular types of actions.

Noam Chomsky (innate)

A linguist who proposed that humans have an innate ability for language acquisition through a universal grammar.