Classical and Operant Conditioning Concepts

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning where an association between two unrelated stimuli produces an involuntary response

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that causes a reflexive response

Unconditioned Response

Reflexive response caused by US

Neutral Stimulus

The stimulus that initially has no effect

Conditioned Stimulus

Previously the NS, now causes CR

Conditioned Response

Learned response from US + CS

John Garcia

Discovered Taste Aversion through a rat experiment

John B. Watson

Conducted an experiment on generalization with 'Little Albert'

Generalization

The subject can NOT distinguish between similar conditioned stimuli

Discrimination

The subject CAN distinguish between conditioned stimuli

Acquisition

Training phase of conditioning

Extinction

Unlearning in conditioning; CS is done without the UCS

Spontaneous Recovery

Mysterious return of the conditioned response after a rest period

The Skinner Box

Also referred to as the Operant Chamber

Positive Reinforcement

Increasing the frequency of a behavior by ADDING something

Negative Reinforcement

Increasing the frequency of a behavior by REMOVING something

Positive Punishment

Deterring a behavior by ADDING something

Negative Punishment

Deterring a behavior by REMOVING something

Fixed Ratio

Behaviors enforced based on a SET number of responses

Fixed Interval

Behaviors enforced based on a SET schedule of time

Variable Ratio

Behaviors enforced based on a RANDOM number of responses

Variable Interval

Behaviors enforced based on a RANDOM amount of time

Learned Helplessness

Discovered by Martin Seligman, A state of powerlessness caused by prior conditioning

Primary Reinforcer

An innate/Instinctively satisfying reinforcer

Secondary Reinforcer

Learned value/satisfaction

Latent Learning

Learning that isn't immediately noticeable, and only shows itself once reinforcement is present

Problem-Focused Coping

Coping by tackling the problem

Emotion-Focused Coping

Coping by avoiding the problem

External Locus of Control

Success/failure attributed to outside influence

Internal Locus of Control

Success/failure attributed to their own effort

Observational Learning

Learning that occurs through observing the behavior of others

Albert Bandura

Discovered that humans learn by imitation with Bobo the clown

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire when we watch someone else perform an activity

Dr. Rizzollati

Discovered mirror neurons

Vicarious Reinforcement

Learning a behavior by watching someone else get rewarded

Vicarious Punishment

Learning NOT to do a behavior after watching someone else get punished