Unit E - Unit 3.7-3.9

Classical & Operant Conditioning

Behavioral Perspective

Focus on how behavior is learned through interactions with the environment.

Behaviorist

Psychologist who studies observable behaviors and the principles of learning.

Classical Conditioning

Learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a response.

Association

The connection formed between stimuli or between a stimulus and a response.

Acquisition

Initial stage of learning when a response is first established and gradually strengthened.

Associative Learning

Learning that occurs when two events are connected, such as in classical or operant conditioning.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

Stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Natural, unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

Learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become conditioned.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.

Extinction

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

Spontaneous Recovery

Reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a pause.

Stimulus Discrimination

Ability to differentiate between similar stimuli and respond only to the conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Generalization

Tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Higher-Order Conditioning

Process where a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus to create a second conditioned stimulus.

Counterconditioning

Technique of replacing an unwanted response to a stimulus with a desired one.

Taste Aversion

Learned avoidance of a food associated with illness or discomfort.

One-Trial Conditioning

Learning that occurs after a single exposure to a stimulus and response, often involving taste aversion.

Biological Preparedness

Predisposition to form associations between certain stimuli and responses due to evolution.

One-Trial Learning

Rapid acquisition of a behavior after a single instance.

Habituation

Decrease in response to a repeated stimulus over time.

Operant Conditioning

Learning process where behavior is influenced by consequences such as reinforcement or punishment.

Law of Effect

Principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to recur.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Punishment

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

Negative Punishment

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

Primary Reinforcers

Naturally reinforcing stimuli, such as food or water, that satisfy basic needs.

Secondary Reinforcers

Stimuli that acquire their reinforcing power through association with primary reinforcers, like money or praise.

Reinforcement Discrimination

Learning to respond only to a specific stimulus that is reinforced.

Reinforcement Generalization

Tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that are not identical but share features.

Shaping

Gradually reinforcing closer approximations of a desired behavior.

Instinctive Drift

Reversion to innate behavior patterns despite conditioning efforts.

Superstitious Behavior

Actions repeated due to mistaken belief they are linked to reinforcement.

Learned Helplessness

Condition in which repeated failures lead to a lack of effort to escape or avoid negative situations.

Reinforcement Schedules

Patterns of reinforcement that influence the frequency and strength of behavior.

Continuous Reinforcement

Providing reinforcement every time a behavior occurs.

Partial Reinforcement

Providing reinforcement only part of the time a behavior occurs.

Fixed Interval

Reinforcement schedule where rewards are given after a fixed amount of time has passed.

Variable Interval

Reinforcement schedule where rewards are given after varying amounts of time.

Fixed Ratio

Reinforcement schedule where rewards are given after a set number of responses.

Variable Ratio

Reinforcement schedule where rewards are given after an unpredictable number of responses.

Scalloped Graph

Pattern of responses seen in fixed interval schedules, with bursts of activity just before reinforcement is available.

Social Learning Theory

Theory that people learn by observing and imitating others, as well as through direct reinforcement.

Vicarious Conditioning

Learning by observing the consequences of others' behavior.

Modeling

Process of imitating the behavior of a role model.

Insight Learning

Sudden realization or understanding of a problem's solution.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without immediate expression and is demonstrated when needed.

Cognitive Maps

Mental representations of physical spaces or layouts.