Ap Psych: Classical & Operant Conditioning (3.7-3.8)

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response (example: food)

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

A natural, automatic response to the unconditioned stimulus (example: salivating to food)

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that does not initially trigger the response (example: bell before conditioning)

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association, triggers a learned response (example: bell after pairing with food)

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to the conditioned stimulus (example: salivating to the bell)

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning in which an organism learns to associate two stimuli; involves involuntary responses

Ivan Pavlov

Psychologist who discovered classical conditioning through experiments with dogs

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning when a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus

Extinction (Classical Conditioning)

The weakening of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of rest

Generalization

When stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus trigger the conditioned response

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between the conditioned stimulus and other stimuli

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning in which behavior is shaped by consequences; involves voluntary behaviors

B.F. Skinner

Psychologist who studied operant conditioning and developed the Skinner box

Reinforcement

Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior

Punishment

Any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase a behavior (example: giving candy for good grades)

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior (example: seatbelt alarm stops)

Positive Punishment

Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease a behavior (example: extra homework)

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior (example: taking away a phone)

Shaping

Reinforcing successive steps toward a desired behavior

Primary Reinforcers

Naturally satisfying reinforcers such as food, water, or sleep

Secondary Reinforcers

Learned reinforcers that gain value through association (example: money, grades)

Immediate Reinforcement

Reinforcement given immediately after a behavior; more effective

Delayed Reinforcement

Reinforcement given after some time has passed; less effective

Extinction (Operant Conditioning)

When a behavior decreases because reinforcement stops