Classical Conditioning

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior caused by experience.

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning where a stimulus gains the power to cause a response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that triggers a response reflexively.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

An automatic response to the unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that gains the power to cause a response through learning.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A response to the conditioned stimulus; it is the same as the unconditioned response.

Acquisition

The process of developing a learned response when the conditioned stimulus is paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Extinction

When the conditioned stimulus loses its power to trigger a conditioned response after being presented alone repeatedly.

Spontaneous Recovery

The return of an extinguished classically conditioned response after a rest period.

Generalization

When an organism produces the same response to two similar stimuli.

Discrimination

When an organism produces different responses to two stimuli.

Taste Aversion

The biologically predisposed response to develop an aversion to a food after getting sick, serving as protection from poisonous food.

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning where the frequency of a behavior depends on the consequence that follows that behavior.

Law of Effect

Edward Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences occur more frequently.

Positive Reinforcement

When behavior is followed by a desirable event or state.

Negative Reinforcement

When behavior ends an undesirable event or state.

Positive Punishment

When behavior is followed by an undesirable event.

Negative Punishment

When behavior ends a desirable event or state.

Shaping

A way to establish new behaviors by reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired behavior.

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcement follows only some correct responses.

Fixed Interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that rewards only the first correct response after a defined period of time.

Variable Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that rewards an unpredictable number of correct responses, highest resistance to extinction.

Observational Learning

Learning that occurs without direct experience, by watching and imitating others.

Albert Bandura

Psychologist known for his work on social learning theory.