Psychology of Personality Final

classical conditioning

A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a reflexive response through repeated pairing with an unconditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response. This concept was famously demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov in his experiments with dogs.

operant conditioning

A learning process in which behaviors are modified by their consequences, such as rewards or punishments. This concept was developed by B.F. Skinner and is fundamental to behaviorism.

difference between operant and classical conditioning

Operant conditioning involves learning through consequences, while classical conditioning involves associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a reflexive response. Both are key concepts in behavioral psychology.

thorndike law of effect

states that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by negative outcomes are less likely to occur.

stimulus generalization

is the tendency for the conditioned response to be elicited by stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus, resulting in responses to more than one stimulus.

stimulus discrimination

is the ability to differentiate between different stimuli, responding only to the specific conditioned stimulus while not responding to similar stimuli.

learned helplessness

is a psychological condition in which an individual feels unable to control or change a situation, leading to a sense of powerlessness. This often occurs after repeated failure or negative experiences.

biological preparedness

is a concept in psychology suggesting that organisms are innately predisposed to quickly learn certain associations, particularly those that relate to survival, such as fear of snakes or spiders.

how does learned helplessness factor into depression

It contributes to negative thought patterns and a lack of motivation, as individuals may feel their actions have no effect on outcomes.

condition taste aversion

is a learned response in which a person develops a strong dislike for a food or drink after a single negative experience, such as nausea or illness following its consumption.

extinctional drift

the tendency of some trained animals to revert back to instinctual behaviors

receptor that is associated with depression

serotonin

spontaneous recovery

is the return of a conditioned response after a period of absence, indicating that learning and memory are not entirely erased through extinction.

extinction recovery

refers to the process of regaining a conditioned response after it has been extinguished, often following a period of non-exposure to the conditioned stimulus.

positive reinforcement

increases the likelihood of a behavior by providing a rewarding stimulus following that behavior.

negative reinforcement

is a process that increases the likelihood of a behavior by removing an aversive stimulus following that behavior.

positive punishment

is the presentation of an aversive stimulus following a behavior, which decreases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

negative punishment

involves removing a rewarding stimulus following a behavior, which decreases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

internal locus of control

is the belief that one has control over their own life and outcomes, attributing success or failure to their own actions rather than external factors.

external locus of control

is the belief that external factors, such as fate or luck, significantly influence one's life and outcomes, leading individuals to attribute their successes or failures to outside forces.

shaping

is a behavioral training technique that reinforces successive approximations of a desired behavior, gradually leading to the full behavior being learned.

concept of reciprocal determinism

explains how behavior, internal cognitive processes, and the environment all interact to influence each other in a continuous loop.

purpose of behaviour therapy

is to change maladaptive behavior patterns through various techniques, ultimately improving an individual's functioning and well-being. to condition positivity

what is the baby Albert experiment and why was it done

The Baby Albert experiment was a study conducted by John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner to demonstrate classical conditioning in humans. The experiment involved conditioning a young child to fear a white rat by pairing it with loud, frightening sounds, illustrating how emotions can be conditioned and unconditioned.

behaviouristic approach

is a psychological perspective that focuses on observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes, emphasizing the effects of the environment on behavior.

depression triad

is a cognitive theory concept developed by Aaron Beck, which includes negative views about the self, the world, and the future, contributing to the development and maintenance of depression.

schema theory of depression

is a cognitive framework suggesting that individuals with depression tend to possess negative cognitive schemas, leading them to interpret experiences in a negative light and contribute to ongoing depressive symptoms.

negative self schema

is a cognitive pattern in which people think negatively about their selves and their worth, often leading to low self esteem.

characteristics of internal locus of control

proactive, resilient, and self-reliant, taking responsibility for their choices and actions

characteristics of external locus of control

a belief that external factors, such as fate, luck, or the actions of others, are primarily responsible for life's outcome

aggressive scripts

mental scenarios or thought patterns that guide aggressive behavior