AP Psych - Unit 6 Vocab

observational learning

learning by observing others (AKA social learning)

variable-interval schedule

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals

variable-ratio schedule

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

fixed-ratio schedule

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specific number of responses

fixed-interval schedule

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specific time has elapsed

positive reinforcer

increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. Any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response

negative reinforcer

increases behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. Any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response (NOT punishment)

intrinsic motivation

a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

extrinsic motivation

a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment

Modeling

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

classical conditioning

a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events

operant conditioning

a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

Learning

a relatively permanent change in an organism’s behavior due to experience

Shaping

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

cognitive map

a mental representation of the layout of one’s environment

Extinction

the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced

learned helplessness

the helplessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events

Habituation

an organism’s decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it

Insight

a sudden and often novel realization of the solution to a problem

prosocial behavior

positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior

operant chamber

in operant conditioning research, a chamber (AKA a Skinner Box) containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking

UR

in classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivation when food is in the mouth. unconditioned response

US

in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally – naturally and automatically – triggers a response. unconditioned stimulus

CS

in classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response. conditioned stimulus

CR

in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS). conditioned response

Punishment

an event that decreases the behavior that it follows