Classical and Operant Conditioning Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts, terminology, and definitions related to classical and operant conditioning, as well as mental disorders, to assist with active recall and exam preparation.

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and elicits a similar response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally produces a response without prior learning.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

The natural reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that does not naturally elicit a response.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

The previously neutral stimulus that triggers a conditioned response after association.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus.

Generalization

Responding similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

Learning to respond only to the original conditioned stimulus, not similar ones.

Extinction

The disappearance of the conditioned response when the CS is presented without the US.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a pause.

Higher-Order Conditioning

A new neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus by being paired with an already established conditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning where behavior is strengthened or weakened by consequences such as rewards or punishments.

Reinforcement

Any event that increases the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding something good to increase behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing something bad to increase behavior.

Punishment

Any event that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding something unpleasant to decrease behavior.

Negative Punishment

Taking away something pleasant to decrease behavior.

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations to train complex behaviors.

Primary Reinforcer

Naturally reinforcing stimuli.

Secondary Reinforcer

Gains value through association with primary reinforcers.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by pleasurable outcomes are likely to be repeated; unpleasant outcomes are less likely to be repeated.

Major Depressive Disorder

Characterized by persistent low mood or loss of interest in most activities, lasting at least two weeks.

Bipolar I Disorder

Involves episodes of severe depression and mania, with manic episodes lasting at least one week.

Bipolar II Disorder

Features episodes of major depression and hypomania, with hypomanic episodes lasting at least four days.

Cyclothymia

Involves milder periods of depressive symptoms and hypomania that cycle over at least two years.

Negative Core Beliefs (Beck’s Triad)

Negative views of the world, future, and self often held by individuals with depression.

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and elicits a similar response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally produces a response without prior learning.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

The natural reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that does not naturally elicit a response.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

The previously neutral stimulus that triggers a conditioned response after association.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus.

Generalization

Responding similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

Learning to respond only to the original conditioned stimulus, not similar ones.

Extinction

The disappearance of the conditioned response when the CS is presented without the US.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a pause.

Higher-Order Conditioning

A new neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus by being paired with an already established conditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning where behavior is strengthened or weakened by consequences such as rewards or punishments.

Reinforcement

Any event that increases the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding something good to increase behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing something bad to increase behavior.

Punishment

Any event that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding something unpleasant to decrease behavior.

Negative Punishment

Taking away something pleasant to decrease behavior.

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations to train complex behaviors.

Primary Reinforcer

Naturally reinforcing stimuli.

Secondary Reinforcer

Gains value through association with primary reinforcers.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by pleasurable outcomes are likely to be repeated; unpleasant outcomes are less likely to be repeated.

Major Depressive Disorder

Characterized by persistent low mood or loss of interest in most activities, lasting at least two weeks.

Bipolar I Disorder

Involves episodes of severe depression and mania, with manic episodes lasting at least one week.

Bipolar II Disorder

Features episodes of major depression and hypomania, with hypomanic episodes lasting at least four days.

Cyclothymia

Involves milder periods of depressive symptoms and hypomania that cycle over at least two years.

Negative Core Beliefs (Beck’s Triad)

Negative views of the world, future, and self often held by individuals with depression.