AP Psych Notes

Learning

Permanent behavior changes due to experiences.

Classical Conditioning

Learning through association between stimuli.

Operant Conditioning

Learning based on consequences of behavior.

Cognitive Learning

Learning without direct experience or observation.

Conditioning

Learning connections between events and stimuli.

Antecedent

Event that logically precedes another event.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

Stimulus that does not evoke a response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

Stimulus that naturally elicits a response.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Innate reflex response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Stimulus that evokes a response after conditioning.

Conditioned Response (CR)

Learned response to a conditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

Training process of establishing a conditioned response.

Extinction

Weakening of conditioned response by removing reinforcement.

Spontaneous Recovery

Reappearance of an extinguished response.

Stimulus Generalization

Conditioned response occurs with similar stimuli.

Stimulus Discrimination

Ability to differentiate between different stimuli.

Expectancies

Pre-learned expectations about event interconnections.

Conditioned Emotional Responses

Emotional reactions to previously neutral stimuli.

Phobias

Irrational fears without realistic danger.

Evaluative Conditioning

Attitude changes by pairing with positive/negative stimuli.

Higher Order Conditioning

Using a conditioned stimulus to condition another stimulus.

Vicarious Classical Conditioning

Conditioning by observing others' reactions.

Pavlov's Dogs Experiment

Demonstrated classical conditioning with dogs and bells.

Law of Effect

Response probability changes based on its consequences.

Operant Reinforcer

Consequence that increases likelihood of a response.

Punishers

Consequences that decrease response rates.

B.F. Skinner

Psychologist who developed operant conditioning theory.

Conditioning Chamber

Apparatus for studying operant conditioning.

Response-Contingent Reinforcement

Reinforcement given only for specific responses.

Reinforcement Contingencies

Rules determining response leads to reinforcement.

Primary Reinforcers

Natural reinforcers fulfilling biological needs.

Secondary Reinforcers

Learned reinforcers, e.g., money.

Tokens

Exchangeable items for other reinforcers.

Social Reinforcers

Feedback that reinforces behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Response followed by a rewarding event.

Negative Reinforcement

Response ends discomfort, increasing behavior likelihood.

Stimulus Control

Stimuli influence when responses occur.

Discriminative Stimuli

Stimuli signaling reinforcement or non-reinforcement.

Operant Stimulus Generalization

Responding to similar stimuli as reinforced ones.

Shaping

Gradually molding responses to desired behavior.

Successive Approximation

Behaviors progressively closer to desired response.

Response Chaining

Linking responses to achieve reinforcement.

Resistance to Extinction

Continued responses after reinforcement withdrawal.

Schedule of Reinforcement

Plan for determining which responses get reinforced.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcer follows every correct response.

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcers do not follow every response.

Fixed Ratio Schedule

Set number of responses for reinforcement.

Variable Ratio Schedule

Varied responses needed for reinforcement.

Fixed Interval

Reinforcement after a set time period.

Variable Interval

Reinforcement after varied time intervals.

Punishment

Consequence that reduces behavior likelihood.

Positive Punishment

Adding an aversive condition to reduce behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a positive condition to reduce behavior.

Escape Learning

Response to end an aversive stimulus.

Avoidance Learning

Response to prevent discomfort from occurring.

Taste Aversions

Learned avoidance of certain foods after negative experiences.

Latent Learning

Learning without reinforcement, revealed later.

Cognitive Map

Mental representation of spatial information.

Rote Memory

Memorization through repetition without understanding.

Discovery Learning

Learning through insight and hands-on experience.

Kinesthetic Learning

Learning through physical activities and movement.

Intrinsic Motivation

Internal drive to perform behaviors effectively.

Extrinsic Motivation

External rewards drive behavior and performance.

Problem-Focused Coping

Directly addressing and solving a problem.

Emotional Coping

Seeking comfort and support during distress.

Internal Locus of Control

Belief in personal control over outcomes.

External Locus of Control

Belief that outcomes are beyond personal control.

Observational Learning

Learning by watching and imitating others.

Vicarious Learning

Learning by observing consequences of others' actions.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that activate during observation and imitation.

Bobo Doll Experiment

Study showing children imitate aggressive behavior.

Antisocial Behavior

Destructive and harmful behavior modeled by others.

Prosocial Behavior

Positive and constructive behavior modeled by others.