Psyc pt1 exam2

A set of flashcards covering key concepts, definitions, and examples from the lecture notes on Learning, Behavioral Psychology, and Classical Conditioning.

Learning

A lasting change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.

Behavioral Psychology

The study of observable behavior and how it’s influenced by the environment.

Behaviourism

The theory that behaviors are learned and can be changed through interaction with the environment.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without conditioning.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

A natural reaction to a stimulus that occurs without prior learning.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially does not trigger a response but can become conditioned.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after conditioning, triggers a learned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus that occurs after conditioning.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Extinction

The process through which a conditioned response diminishes when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of extinction.

Conditioned Emotional Responses

Learned emotional reactions to specific stimuli.

Amygdala

A key brain area involved in emotional learning and the processing of fear.

Adaptive Value of Classical Conditioning

The survival advantage provided by learning to predict dangerous situations.

Systematic Desensitization

A therapeutic technique that reduces fear through gradual exposure to fear-inducing stimuli combined with relaxation.