Unit 4 AP Psych

Classical Conditioning

The process of learning through the association of stimuli and responses.

Unconditioned stimulus

The original stimulus that elicits a natural and reflexive response.

Unconditioned response

The involuntary response that is elicited by the unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned stimulus

A stimulus that eventually triggers a conditioned response after being associated with the unconditioned stimulus.

Extinction

The process of unlearning a behavior by repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus.

Generalization

The tendency to respond to similar stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

The ability to differentiate between different stimuli and respond selectively.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of extinction when the unconditioned stimulus is presented again.

Higher-order conditioning

Using a conditioned stimulus as an unconditioned stimulus to condition a response to a new stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning based on the association of consequences with behaviors.

Law of Effect

Behaviors that are followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by negative consequences are less likely to occur.

Reinforcer

A stimulus that increases the likelihood of a specific behavior occurring.

Reinforcement

A method that strengthens a desired response.

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of something pleasant to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Negative Reinforcer

The removal of something unpleasant to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Punishment

The addition of something unpleasant to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Negative Punishment

The removal of something pleasant to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Punishment VS Reinforcement

Punishment decreases the likelihood of a behavior, while reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior.

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior to achieve the final behavior.

Chaining

Combining multiple behaviors to form a larger behavior.

Primary Reinforcers

Inherently rewarding stimuli such as food, water, and shelter.

Secondary Reinforcers

Learned reinforcers such as money and praise.

Premack principle

Using a preferred activity to reinforce a less preferred activity.

Reinforcement Schedules

Different patterns of delivering reinforcement to maintain or modify behavior.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing the behavior every time it occurs.

Fixed-Ratio Reinforcement

Reinforcement delivered after a set number of responses.

Fixed-Interval Reinforcement

Reinforcement delivered after a behavior is performed following a fixed amount of time.

Variable-Ratio Reinforcement

Reinforcement delivered after a variable number of responses.

Variable-Interval Reinforcement

Reinforcement delivered after a behavior is performed following a variable amount of time.