Learning and Conditioning

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to learning, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, cognitive and social learning, as well as various reinforcement techniques.

What is learning?

A relatively permanent change in behavior that results from experience.

What does 'neurons that fire together wire together' mean?

It refers to the biological perspective of learning, indicating that learning strengthens synaptic connections.

What are the three different views of learning?

Classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and cognitive learning.

What is classical conditioning?

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.

What is an unconditioned stimulus?

A stimulus that unconditionally, naturally, and automatically triggers a response.

What is an unconditioned response?

An unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus.

What is a conditioned stimulus?

A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.

What is a conditioned response?

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

What did Ivan Pavlov study?

Classical conditioning, primarily through his experiments with dogs.

What is the process of acquisition in classical conditioning?

The repetition of the presentation of an unconditioned stimulus paired with a neutral stimulus until an association is made.

What is spontaneous recovery?

The re-emergence of the conditioned response after extinction.

What triggers generalization in classical conditioning?

Associating stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus with the conditioned response.

What is the law of effect according to B.F. Skinner?

Behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely.

What is reinforcement in operant conditioning?

A pleasant consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

What is negative reinforcement?

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase the chance of a behavior occurring.

What is positive punishment?

Adding something unpleasant to decrease the chance of a behavior occurring.

What does shaping involve in operant conditioning?

Rewarding successive approximations of a target behavior.

What is the definition of latent learning?

Learning that takes place in the absence of reinforcement.

What is observational learning?

Learning or modifying a behavior after exposure to at least one performance of that behavior.

What is vicarious conditioning?

Learning the consequences of an action by watching others being rewarded or punished for performing that action.

What role do mirror neurons play in social learning?

They fire in your brain and in another person’s brain when you watch someone else engaging in an action.

What signifies a primary reinforcer?

Reinforcers that have innate reinforcing qualities and do not need to be learned.

What is a secondary reinforcer?

Rewards that have no inherent value but are linked to a primary reinforcer.

What is the difference between continuous and partial reinforcement?

Continuous reinforcement rewards every occurrence of a behavior, while partial reinforcement rewards only some occurrences.

What is the role of dopamine in reinforcement?

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in reward and motivation.

What is insight learning?

A sudden understanding of how to solve a problem after a period of inaction or contemplation.

What is the significance of the Bobo doll study?

It demonstrated that children are more likely to imitate behaviors of models they find attractive or similar to themselves.

How does punishment differ from reinforcement?

Punishment decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, whereas reinforcement increases it.