Unit 5 – Learning

These flashcards cover essential concepts related to learning, behaviorism, classical and operant conditioning, cognitive learning, and observational learning.

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.

Stimulus

Any event or situation that evokes a response.

Behaviorism

A psychological approach that emphasizes the study of observable behaviors.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.

Neutral Stimuli (NS)

Stimulus that initially produces no specific response until paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

An unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

An originally neutral stimulus that comes to trigger a conditioned response after association with an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response.

Thorndike's Law of Effect

The principle that responses followed by favorable consequences become more likely, while those followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of a rewarding stimulus following a desired behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of an aversive stimulus following a desired behavior.

Primary Reinforcer

A naturally reinforcing stimulus, such as food or water.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcing a response only part of the time.

Fixed-Ratio Reinforcement

Reinforcement that occurs after a predetermined number of responses.

Variable-Ratio Reinforcement

Reinforcement that occurs after an unpredictable number of responses.

Fixed-Interval Reinforcement

Reinforcement that occurs after a specified amount of time has passed.

Variable-Interval Reinforcement

Reinforcement that occurs at unpredictable time intervals.

Positive Punishment

Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Shaping

Gradually guiding behavior toward a desired goal.

Acquisition

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

Extinction

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

Spontaneous Recovery

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

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli.

Generalization

The tendency to respond similarly to similar stimuli.

Taste Aversion

A learned avoidance of a particular food or taste.

Cognitive Learning

Learning that involves acquiring new behaviors and information through observation and information rather than direct experience.

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of the layout of one's environment.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it.

Intrinsic Motivation

The motivation to engage in a behavior arises from within the individual.

Extrinsic Motivation

The motivation to engage in a behavior is driven by external rewards.

Locus of Control

A person's belief about how much control they have over their life.

Self-Control

The ability to control one's impulses and emotions.

Learned Helplessness

The perceived lack of control over the outcome of a situation.

Observational Learning

Learning that occurs through observing the behavior of others.

Bobo Doll Experiment

A study by Albert Bandura demonstrating the impact of observational learning and aggression.

Modeling

The process of learning behaviors by watching others.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire when we perform an action and when we observe someone else performing the same action.

Prosocial Behavior

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior.

Antisocial Behavior

Negative, destructive, unhelpful behavior.