Classical and Operant Conditioning Terminology

These flashcards cover key concepts in classical and operant conditioning as well as major developmental theories in psychology.

Classical Conditioning

Developed by Ivan Pavlov, this method of learning occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly and deliberately paired, prompting the test subject to make an association between them; as a result, the subject responds to the first, previously neutral stimulus in the same way that he would to the second.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Natural (unlearned) behavior that occurs in reaction to a particular stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

(Test subject’s) reaction elicited by a conditioned stimulus; does not occur naturally, the subject learns to react this way to the (previously neutral) stimulus once it has been effectively paired with said stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Stimulus that prompts a reflexive response (e.g., salivation) in a test subject; it requires no teaching or pairing--happens naturally.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Stimulus that only elicits a response because it has been deliberately and repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Stimulus that does not initially elicit a response (it will later, once the test subject has learned to associate/pair it with the unconditioned stimulus).

Higher/Second-Order Conditioning

Achieved by pairing using a new neutral stimulus with one that has already been conditioned.

Acquisition

The initial period of learning in which an organism learns to connect a neutral stimulus to an unconditioned stimulus.

Extinction

Process by which the test subject un-pairs the conditioned stimulus from the unconditioned stimulus; occurs when the unconditioned stimulus repeatedly does NOT follow the conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Discrimination

Model in which an organism learns to respond differently to various stimuli that are similar.

Stimulus Generalization

When the test subject is unable to distinguish between stimuli that are similar.

Behaviorism

School of thought in the field of Psychology founded by John B. Watson that asserts that behavior results from a person’s reaction to a stimulus.

“Little Albert” Experiment

Early 20th century study in which Watson attempted to prove that a person could be conditioned to have a phobia.

Operant Conditioning

Type of learning in which organisms learn to associate a behavior (desirable or undesirable) with its consequence (pleasant or unpleasant).

Law of Effect

Theory which states that behaviors followed by pleasant or satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated.

Positive Reinforcement

Considered the most effective way to teach a person or animal a new behavior, where a desirable stimulus is added to increase a behavior.

Shaping

Approach used in operant conditioning in which successive approximations of a target behavior are rewarded.

Secondary Reinforcer

This type of reward, used in operant conditioning, has no inherent value; it only has reinforcing qualities when linked with a primary reinforcer.

Reinforcement Schedule

In operant conditioning, this refers to the interval or ratio at which a reinforcer is delivered following a behavior.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs, but that may not be evident until an opportunity/reason arises to demonstrate it.

Psychosexual Development

Developmental process proposed by Freud in which pleasure-seeking urges focus on different erogenous zones of the body.

Psychosocial Development

Developmental theory proposed by Erik Erikson that emphasizes the social, rather than sexual nature of our development.

Schema

Mental model that helps people to categorize and organize information.

Egocentrism

Characteristic that children typically display during Piaget’s preoperational stage in which they lack the ability to see the world from others’ perspectives.

Heinz Dilemma

Test developed by psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg to determine a subject’s stage of moral development.

Secure Base

A parental presence that gives the child a sense of safety as he explores his surroundings.

Strange Situation Procedure

Test developed by Mary Ainsworth to study whether children differ in the ways they bond with a primary caregiver.

Disorganized Attachment

One possible reaction that the child may demonstrate in the 'Strange Situation Procedure'; the child may freeze, run around the room erratically, or try to run away when the caregiver returns.

Authoritarian Style

Type of parenting in which the parent places high value on conformity and obedience.

Temperament

Set of innate traits, present from early childhood, that influence how one thinks, behaves, and reacts to one’s environment.

Frontal Lobe

Portion of the brain that is responsible for judgment, impulse control, and planning.

Cognitive Empathy

Relates to the ability to take the perspective of and feel concern for others.

“Boomerang Generation”

Describes recent college graduates who return to the parental home due to lack of adequate employment.

Fluid Intelligence

Set of cognitive abilities that includes information processing abilities, reasoning, and memory.