Unit: Classical and Contemporary Theories of Learning

Innate behavior

Instinctive behavior that naturally occurs as a result of automatic inborn processes.

Learned behavior

Behavior that has been changed or modified as a result of a subject’s experience.

Learning

A relatively permanent change or modification in behavior that occurs as a result of experiential processes.

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning.

Classical conditioning

A type of learning that occurs when an organism learns to associate two or more stimuli with a specific event.

Conditioned response

A response that is elicited from a conditioned stimulus.

Conditioned stimulus

An originally neutral stimulus that stimulates a response due to its association to an unconditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other similar stimuli.

Extinction

Learning process that occurs when a conditioned stimulus no longer elicits a conditioned response.

Generalization

Learning process that occurs when a conditioned response is elicited from stimuli that is similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Neutral stimulus

A stimulus for which there is no conditioned response.

Unconditioned response

A response to an unconditioned stimulus that occurs naturally and does not have to be learned.

Unconditioned stimulus

A stimulus that naturally provokes a behavior or response.

Discriminative stimulus

A stimulus that increases or decreases the likelihood of a particular response.

Law of effect

Principle of learning stating that rewarded behavior is strengthened and likely to be repeated.

Operant chamber

A small enclosure designed for an animal to make responses as specific consequences are administered; also known as a Skinner box.

Operant conditioning

A type of learning in which an organism learns to associate a behavior with a specific consequence.

Primary reinforcer

A stimulus that is naturally reinforcing because it satisfies innate needs.

Punishment

The addition or removal of a stimulus to decrease or discourage a particular behavior.

Reinforcement

The addition or removal of a stimulus to increase or encourage a particular behavior.

Secondary reinforcer

A stimulus that is reinforcing because of its association with primary reinforcers.

Shaping

The gradual acquisition of a behavior that occurs by reinforcing closer and closer approximations of the target behavior.