ap psych unit 4

Associative learning

Learning through the association of stimuli or events

Respondent behavior

Behavior that occurs automatically in response to a stimulus

Operant behavior

Behavior that operates on the environment to produce consequences

Cognitive learning

Learning that involves mental processes such as thinking and problem-solving

Classical conditioning

Learning through the association of a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus

Behaviorism

Psychological approach that focuses on observable behavior

Neutral stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that does not initially elicit a response

Unconditioned response (UR)

An automatic response to an unconditioned stimulus

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally elicits a response

Conditioned response (CR)

A learned response to a conditioned stimulus

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that now elicits a response

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning in classical conditioning

Higher-order conditioning

A procedure in which a conditioned stimulus is used to condition a second neutral stimulus

Extinction

The weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response

Spontaneous recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period

Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli

Operant conditioning

Learning through the consequences of behavior

Law of effect

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to occur again

Operant chamber

A laboratory apparatus used to study operant conditioning

Reinforcement

The process of increasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again

Shaping

The process of gradually guiding behavior towards a desired outcome

Discriminative stimulus

A stimulus that indicates the availability of reinforcement

Positive reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior

Negative reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior

Primary reinforcer

A stimulus that is innately rewarding

Conditioned reinforcer

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through association with a primary reinforcer

Reinforcement schedule

A pattern of delivering reinforcement

Continuous reinforcement

Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs

Partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Reinforcing a behavior only some of the time

Fixed-ratio schedule

Reinforcing a behavior after a set number of responses

Variable-ratio schedule

Reinforcing a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses

Fixed-interval schedule

Reinforcing a behavior after a set amount of time has passed

Variable-interval schedule

Reinforcing a behavior after an unpredictable amount of time has passed

Punishment

The process of decreasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again

Preparedness

The biological predisposition to easily learn certain associations

Instinctive drift

The tendency for learned behavior to be replaced by instinctual behavior

Cognitive map

A mental representation of the layout of one's environment

Latent learning

Learning that occurs without apparent reinforcement

Insight

A sudden realization of a problem's solution

Intrinsic motivation

Engaging in behavior for its own sake

Extrinsic motivation

Engaging in behavior for external rewards or to avoid punishment

Observational learning

Learning by watching and imitating others

Problem-focused coping

Coping strategy that focuses on actively addressing the stressor

Emotion-focused coping

Coping strategy that focuses on managing the emotional response to a stressor

Personal control

The belief that one has control over their own actions and outcomes

Learned helplessness

A state of passive resignation learned when unable to avoid repeated aversive events

External locus of control

The belief that external forces determine one's outcomes

Internal locus of control

The belief that one's own actions determine their outcomes

Self-control

The ability to control one's own behavior and impulses

Modeling

Learning by observing and imitating others' behavior

Mirror neurons

Neurons that fire both when performing an action and when observing another perform the same action

Prosocial behavior

Behavior that benefits others or society as a whole