AP Psych unit 3

classical conditioning

A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, leading to a learned response. It was famously demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov through experiments with dogs.

unconditioned stimulus

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

unconditioned response

An unlearned response that occurs naturally in reaction to the unconditioned stimulus.

neutral stimulus

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response until it is paired with an unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning.

conditioned stimulus

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

conditioned response

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that occurs after conditioning.

acquisition

The process in classical conditioning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response.

extinction

The process in classical conditioning where the conditioned response diminishes or disappears when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

spontaneous recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of extinction when the conditioned stimulus is presented again, often without reinforcement.

generalization

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

discrimination

the ability to distinguish between stimuli

shaping

the production of new forms of operant behavior by reinforcement of successive approximations to the behavior

reinforcement

something that increases the likelihood of the behavior happening again

punishment

something that reduces the occurrence of the behavior

positive reinforcement

a reward or event that increases the likelihood that a particular behavior will be repeated

negative reinforcement

the removal of an aversive event in order to encourage a behavior

positive

adds a stimulusnehga

negative

removes a stimulus

primary reinforcers

things like food, water and sex that are necessary and used as rewards

secondary reinforcers

same concept as primary reinforcers but includes stuff that is not as important such as affirming words or money

premack principle

a less-preferred behavior can be reinforced by the opportunity to engage in a more-preferred behavior

continuous reinforcement

reinforcement at every correct response

intermittent reinforcement

only some responses are reinforced

fixed ratio

Reinforcement is delivered after a specified, consistent number of responses

Variable ratio

Reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable, average number of responses

fixed interval

Reinforcement is delivered after a specified, consistent amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement

variable interval

Reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable, average amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement

modeling

vicarious learning —> mimicking a behavior you see being done

Bobo doll experience

children observed adults’ behavior around a bobo doll and mimicked it

longitudinal study

studying the same group of people over a considerable span of time

cross sectional study

research method that collects data from different groups over one period of time (eg. 9/11 surveys)

teratogens

agents (natural) like drugs or an illness or genetic mutations that cause issues with the internal development of the child

• maternal illness

• genetic mutations

• hormonal factors

• environmental factors

rooting reflex

baby’s automatic response to being touched on the cheek to latch on to breast, or bottle to breastfeed

gross motor skills

movements that are developed in a universal order that involve the large muscles

• Roll

• Rock

• Crawl

• Walk

• Run

in that order respectively; they’re more simple movements

Fine motor skills

small, precise movements made with the hands, fingers, and wrists, involving the coordination of small muscles with the eyes and brain

critical periods

crucial, time-limited windows in early development when the brain is highly sensitive to specific environmental inputs

sensitive period

temporary but still crucial periods of time where children are intensely drawn to learning specific skills such as language

menarche

first period

spermarche

first ejaculation

primary sex characteristics

directly have to do with the ability to reproduce

secondary sex characteristics

do not directly involve the ability to reproduce but are part of development

sex

biological classification of male or female

gender

social, cultural, and personal aspects of being a man, woman, both, neither, or another identity, encompassing roles, behaviors, and a person's internal sense of self

intersex

people born with natural variations in sex characteristics XXY

androgen insensitivity syndrome

a condition where males (XY) cannot respond to androgens (male hormones) and develop through feminization

turner syndrome

when an X chromosome is missing and it leads to short stature, ovary failure and heart defects

Klinefelter syndrome

XXY - a genetic condition in males with an extra X chromosome (XXY), causing varied symptoms like infertility, underdeveloped testes, reduced testosterone, tall stature, and learning/social difficulties