Lecture Notes on Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning and Memory

Key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, and Memory.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially has no effect on the response when conditioned.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without any prior learning.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

An automatic response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial phase of learning in which a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to create a conditioned response.

Extinction

The reduction of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period, following extinction.

Generalization

The tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli, allowing a conditioned response to occur only in response to a specific conditioned stimulus.

Shaping

An operant conditioning process that reinforces successive approximations toward a desired behavior.

Primary Reinforcer

An innately satisfying stimulus, such as food or water.

Secondary Reinforcer

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through association with primary reinforcers.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcement is provided after every correct response, leading to rapid acquisition.

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcement occurs only intermittently, leading to greater resistance to extinction.

Echoic Memory

A type of sensory memory for sounds that lasts a few seconds.

Iconic Memory

A type of visual sensory memory that lasts for less than a second.

Levels of Processing

A theory suggesting that deeper processing of information leads to better retention.

Chunking

A memory improvement technique that involves grouping information into manageable units.

Explicit Memory

Memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and declare.

Implicit Memory

Memory that does not require conscious recall, such as skills and actions.

Recall

Retrieving information without cues, such as in an essay question.

Recognition

Identifying previously learned information when presented with options.

Encoding Specificity Principle

Memory retrieval is enhanced when the context at retrieval matches the context at encoding.