PSYCH 1 - Conditioning and Learning

Associationism

The concept of associating ideas based on frequency, contiguity, and similarity and contrast.

Tabula rasa doctrine

John Locke's theory that individuals are born with a blank slate, suggesting that the mind is shaped by experience.

Laws of Association

Principles proposed by Aristotle and John Locke that explain how associations are formed based on repetition, co-occurrence, and similarities.

Pavlov's conditioning methods

Techniques involving conditioned and unconditioned reflexes, such as CS, CR, US (UCS), and UR (UCR).

Extinction in Pavlovian conditioning

The process of eliminating a conditioned response by omitting the unconditioned stimulus.

Aversion therapy

A form of fear conditioning used to discourage unwanted behaviors.

Systematic desensitization

A method for treating phobias by gradually exposing individuals to feared stimuli.

Thorndike's puzzle-box experiment

An experiment with cats to study learning through trial and error, leading to the Law of Effect.

Law of Effect

The principle that behaviors leading to satisfying outcomes are likely to be repeated, while those leading to negative outcomes are less likely to recur.

Operant conditioning

Learning through consequences, as proposed by B.F. Skinner, where behaviors are shaped by reinforcement or punishment.

Shaping

The process of reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior to guide learning.

Schedules of reinforcement

Patterns of delivering reinforcing consequences, including fixed- and variable-ratio and interval schedules.

Operant extinction

The elimination of a behavior by removing the reinforcing consequence.

Special cases of learning

Examples like conditioned taste aversions, birdsong learning, and social learning through imitation and reinforcement.

Skinner's views on thinking and free will

Seeing thinking as verbal behavior and free will as a fictional concept.

Applications of Skinner's findings

Utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis for behavior modification, assertiveness training, biofeedback, and programmed instruction.