Psychology of Learning and Conditioning

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to the psychology of learning and classical and operant conditioning.

Definition of Learning

A relative permanent change in behavior as a result of experience or practice.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits a conditioned response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

An original naturally occurring stimulus that leads to an involuntary response.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

An automatic, unlearned response to the unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to a previously neutral (now conditioned) stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that initially has no effect on the desired response.

Classical Conditioning

Learning to associate two stimuli and thus to anticipate events.

Acquisition

The process of pairing a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to create a conditioned response.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Discrimination

Responding with a conditioned response only to the conditioned stimulus and not to similar stimuli.

Extinction

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

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of extinction.

High-Order Conditioning

Conditioning that involves adding a neutral stimulus to an already conditioned stimulus to elicit a response.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process in which behavior is modified by its consequences, such as reinforcement or punishment.

Law of Effect

Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable outcomes are more likely to be repeated.

Edward Thorndike

Psychologist who proposed the Law of Effect, studying cats in puzzle boxes, laying groundwork for operant conditioning.

B.F. Skinner

Pioneered operant conditioning, known for the Skinner box, and advocated for behaviorism.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a positive stimulus to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing a negative stimulus to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior.

Primary Reinforcer

A reinforcer that satisfies a basic biological need.

Secondary Reinforcer

A reinforcer that gains its value through association with a primary reinforcer.

Continuous Reinforcement

A schedule of reinforcement in which every correct response is reinforced.

Partial Reinforcement

A schedule where reinforcement is provided only after a certain number of responses or a certain amount of time.

Punishment

An event that decreases the probability that a behavior will occur again.

Positive Punishment

Adding an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule (FR)

A schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses.

Variable-Ratio Schedule (VR)

A schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses.

Fixed-Interval Schedule (FI)

A schedule of reinforcement where the first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed.

Variable-Interval Schedule (VI)

A schedule of reinforcement where the first response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has elapsed.

Discriminative Stimulus

A cue that signals which behavior will lead to reinforcement.

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior.

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of one’s environment used to navigate complex situations.

Insight Learning

A sudden realization of a problem's solution without trial-and-error.

Latent Learning

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

Learned Helplessness

A condition resulting from repeated failures to control a situation, leading to a passive resignation.

Observational Learning

Learning new behaviors by watching others.

Modeling

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior, central to observational learning.

AMID (mnemonic)

Attention, Memory, Imitation, Desire - elements necessary for observational learning.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons in the brain that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so, potentially underlying observational learning.

Biological Preparedness

A propensity for learning particular kinds of associations over others, due to evolutionary survival mechanisms.

Taste Aversion

A type of biological preparedness where organisms learn to avoid foods that make them sick, even if illness occurs hours later.