Module 7: Learning

Behaviorism

Learning only has to do with observable behavior.

Habituation

The decline in an organism’s response to a stimulus once the stimulus has become familiar, serving the function of helping you ignore old information.

Dishabituation

An increase in responding caused by a change in something familiar, calling attention to newly arriving and potentially useful information.

Classical Conditioning

An experiment credited with the discovery of classical conditioning.

Unconditioned Stimulus

It elicits an unconditioned response.

Conditioned Stimulus

Produces a conditioned response, a signal that has no importance to the organism until paired with something that does.

Second-Order Conditioning

A procedure in which a neutral stimulus is paired with an already established conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Generalization

Similar enough stimuli will elicit the conditioned response.

Extinction

Conditioned responses diminish without reconditioning.

Spontaneous Recovery

Sometimes, long after extinction, re-exposure to the conditioned stimulus evokes the conditioned response.

Operant Conditioning

A type of conditioning or learning that occurs when a behavior is associated with the occurrence of a significant event.

Thorndike’s Law of Effect

When a behavior has a positive effect, it is likely to be repeated; when it has a negative consequence, it is less likely to be repeated.

Reinforcers

Stimuli that increase behaviors.

Punishers

Stimuli that decrease behavior.

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Reinforce behavior after a set of repeated responses.

Variable Ratio Schedule

Reinforce behavior after an unpredictable number of responses.

Fixed Interval Schedule

Reinforce the first response after a fixed time period.

Variable Interval Schedule

Reinforce the first response after an unpredictable time period.

Cognitivism

Learning also has to do with inner mental activity.

Observational Learning

A component of Albery Bandura’s theory suggesting individuals can learn novel responses by observing others.

Constructivism

Learning is more than acquisition; it is an active process.

Humanism

Learning is a personal act to fulfill one’s potential, focusing on human freedom, dignity, and potential.