7Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on learning mechanisms including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.

What is learning?

The process of acquiring new knowledge or behaviors through experience.

Classical conditioning

Learning to associate an involuntary response with a stimulus, as demonstrated in Pavlov's experiments with dogs.

Operant conditioning

Learning to associate a voluntary behavior with a consequence, where behaviors are increased or decreased through reinforcement or punishment.

Observational learning

Learning that occurs through observing and imitating the behaviors of others.

Neutral stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response; becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) when paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US).

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

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

Unconditioned response (UR)

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

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US), becomes associated with a conditioned response (CR).

Conditioned response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become a conditioned stimulus (CS).

Law of effect

The principle stating that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Biological preparedness

The predisposition of certain species to learn associations that enhance their survival.

Taste aversion learning

A type of classical conditioning where an organism learns to avoid a food that it associates with illness.

Shaping

A technique in operant conditioning where successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced.

Albert Bandura

Psychologist known for his work on observational learning and the Bobo Doll experiment.

Vicarious conditioning

Learning that occurs by observing the consequences that others experience.

Compensatory reactions

Physiological responses that oppose the effects of a drug in order to maintain homeostasis.

Overdose risk

The likelihood of experiencing an overdose due to a conditioned response to environmental stimuli associated with drug administration.