Psych: development and learning

Behavioral Perspective

Examines how observable behaviors are learned and reinforced through interactions with the environment.

Associative Learning

A process of learning in which an individual forms connections between events that occur together.

Habituation

Occurs when organisms grow accustomed to and exhibit a diminished response to a repeated or enduring stimulus.

Classical Conditioning

A learning method where we associate two stimuli, enabling us to anticipate events.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

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

Unconditioned Response (UR)

A natural and automatic reaction to a stimulus that occurs without any prior learning or conditioning.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus, evokes a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response that occurs when a conditioned stimulus is presented, resulting from the association with an unconditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial learning of an association.

Extinction

The process in which the conditioned response weakens and eventually disappears when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest.

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to differentiate between similar stimuli and respond differently to them, learned through the conditioning process.

Stimulus Generalization

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

Higher-Order Conditioning

A process where a previously conditioned stimulus is used to create further associations with new neutral stimuli.

Counterconditioning

Changing a learned response to something more preferred by pairing it with a different experience.

Taste Aversion

A learned association between the taste of a particular food and feeling sick, often occurring after only one pairing.

One-Trial Conditioning

Learning that happens quickly after just one pairing of two things.

Biological Preparedness

The innate tendency of organisms to quickly learn associations between certain stimuli and responses that are relevant to their survival.

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by consequences, such as reinforcement or punishment.

The Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by favorable outcomes are more likely to be repeated.

Reinforcement

Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future.

Reinforcement Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond appropriately based on the presence or absence of reinforcement.

Reinforcement Generalization

The tendency to respond similarly to different stimuli that are associated with the same reinforcement.

Positive Reinforcement

Presenting a desirable stimulus after a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior happening again.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus after a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior happening again.

Punishment

Any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again in the future.

Positive Punishment

Adding an aversive stimulus after a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior happening again.

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus after a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior happening again.

Shaping

Gradually reinforcing behaviors that are closer and closer to the desired behavior, leading to the development of a complex behavior or skill.

Instinctive Drift

Animals may revert to their natural instincts instead of learning new behaviors through training.

Superstitious Behavior

Accidental reinforcement of behaviors, leading to the belief that those behaviors are causing desired outcomes.

Reinforcement Schedules

Patterns determining when and how often reinforcement is given for a behavior.

Fixed Interval (FI)

Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement.

Variable Interval (VI)

Reinforcement is delivered after varying amounts of time have passed since the last reinforcement.

Fixed Ratio (FR)

Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of responses.

Variable Ratio (VR)

Reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable number of responses.

Learned Helplessness

A belief that one has no control over their circumstances, leading to feelings of passivity.

Social Learning Theory

Theory that emphasizes the importance of observing, imitating, and modeling behaviors.

Vicarious Conditioning

Learning by observing the consequences of others' actions.

Insight Learning

A sudden understanding of a problem or situation that leads to a solution without prior trial and error.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without obvious reinforcement or motivation, but is not demonstrated until there is a reason to do so.

Cognitive Maps

Mental representations of spatial relationships or layouts.