Comprehensive Psychology: Classical & Operant Conditioning, Learning Theories

Classical Conditioning

A neural stimulus is associated with a natural response.

Operant Conditioning

A response is increased or decreased due to reinforcement or punishment.

Observational Learning

Learning occurs through observation and imitation of others.

Behaviorism

A key idea in psychology that focuses on studying observable behaviors instead of internal thoughts and feelings.

Ivan Pavlov

Russian physiologist known for his research in classical conditioning.

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that does not elicit any particular response.

Unconditioned Stimulus

Stimulus that triggers an unconditioned response without any prior learning.

Unconditioned Response

Innate reaction that occurs naturally.

Conditioned Stimulus

When the neutral stimulus is paired with the unconditioned stimulus repeatedly, it becomes a conditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response

Learned response.

Acquisition

The initial stage of the learning process where the neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Extinction

Process by which a conditioned response decreases and eventually disappears when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

Reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest.

Generalization

A conditioned response is elicited by stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

Ability to differentiate between the conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that are not associated with the unconditioned stimulus.

Higher Order Conditioning

A process in classical conditioning where a conditioned stimulus is used as if it were an unconditioned stimulus.

Taste Aversion

A learned response where an individual avoids a particular food after a negative experience.

Little Albert Experiment

An experiment showing how classical conditioning could be used to induce a phobia.

Shaping

An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer approximations of the desired behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Favorable outcomes presented after the behavior, strengthening the response.

Negative Reinforcement

Involves the reward of unfavorable outcomes after the display of a behavior.

Positive Punishment

Presents an unfavorable event or outcome to weaken the response it follows.

Negative Punishment

Occurs when a favorable event is removed after a behavior occurs.

Primary Reinforcers

Unlearned and innate behaviors that satisfy a biological need.

Conditioned Reinforcers

Reinforcers that gain power through their learned association with a primary reinforcer.

Instinctive Drift

Phenomenon where an animal's innate behavior interferes with learned behaviors.

Superstitions

When an animal or person mistakenly associates a particular action with a consequence.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Rules stating how often a particular behavior will be reinforced.

Continuous Reinforcement

The desired behavior is reinforced every time it occurs.

Partial Reinforcement

The response is reinforced only part of the time.

Fixed Ratio

The action must be done a certain number of times before being rewarded.

Variable Ratio

The action is reinforced after being done a random number of times.

Fixed Interval

The reinforcement is scheduled after a set amount of time has passed.

Variable Interval

The reinforcement will happen after a random amount of time has passed.