Psychology: Learning Theories

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning.

Unconditioned Response

An unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus

An originally neutral stimulus that comes to trigger a conditioned response after association.

Conditioned Response

A learned response to a previously neutral, now conditioned stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that elicits no particular response before conditioning.

Extinction

The diminishing of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus stops.

Stimulus Discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli.

Generalization

The tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.

One-Trial Conditioning

Classical conditioning that occurs after only a single pairing of stimulus and response.

Biological Preparedness

An innate readiness to form certain associations due to evolutionary survival advantages.

Habituation

Decreasing responsiveness with repeated exposure to an unchanging stimulus.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase the frequency of a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus to increase the frequency of a behavior.

Positive Punishment

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

Negative Punishment

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

Law of Effect

Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely.

Primary Reinforcer

An innately reinforcing stimulus that satisfies a biological need.

Secondary Reinforcer

A stimulus that gains reinforcing power through association with a primary reinforcer.

Operant Discrimination

Responding differently to stimuli that signal whether a behavior will be reinforced.

Operant Generalization

Performing a reinforced behavior in a different, but similar, situation.

Shaping

An operant conditioning procedure using reinforcers to guide behavior toward a goal.

Instinctive Drift

The tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behaviors that interfere with conditioning.

Superstitious Behavior

Behavior that is accidentally reinforced and thus repeated without causal connection.

Learned Helplessness

Resignation learned when unable to avoid repeated aversive events.

Schedule of Reinforcement

A rule stating which instances of a behavior will be reinforced.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcing a response only part of the time, building resistance to extinction.

Fixed Interval Schedule

Reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed.

Variable Interval Schedule

Reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.

Variable Ratio Schedule

Reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.

Social Learning Theory

Learning by observing others and imitating their behavior.

Vicarious Learning

Learning by observing the behavior of others and its consequences.

Vicarious Reinforcement

Learning to repeat a behavior by observing someone else being reinforced for it.

Vicarious Punishment

Learning to avoid a behavior by observing someone else being punished for it.

Insight Learning

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

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs implicitly and is only demonstrated when an incentive is given.