Causal Factors and Viewpoints: Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral Perspectives

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the behavioral and cognitive-behavioral perspectives, classical and operant conditioning mechanisms, schema dynamics, and contributing causal factors.

Learning (Behaviorism)

The modification of behavior as a consequence of experiences, serving as the central theme of behaviorism.

Classical Conditioning

A form of learning where a previously neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that automatically and naturally elicits a response on its own, before any learning occurs (e.g., food).

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

An unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (e.g., salivating in response to food).

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

An originally neutral stimulus that, through association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to elicit a conditioned response (e.g., a tuning fork).

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus (e.g., salivating to the sound of a tuning fork).

Extinction (Classical Conditioning)

The gradual fading of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus; this represents suppression rather than permanent unlearning.

Spontaneous Recovery

The return of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of time has elapsed.

Operant (Instrumental) Conditioning

A learning paradigm associated with B.F. Skinner in which the frequency of behaviors is modified through positive or negative reinforcement and punishment.

Positive Reinforcement

Increasing the frequency of a behavior by adding something pleasurable.

Negative Reinforcement

Increasing the frequency of a behavior by removing something aversive.

Positive Punishment

Decreasing the frequency of a behavior by adding something aversive.

Negative Punishment

Decreasing the frequency of a behavior by removing something pleasurable.

Generalization

The tendency of a conditioned response to be evoked by stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

Learning to distinguish between similar stimuli based on which ones are reinforced versus which are not.

Observational Learning

Learning that takes place through observing the behaviors and consequences of others, emphasizing internal reinforcement.

Bobo Doll Experiments

A famous series of experiments conducted in the 1960s by Albert Bandura demonstrating observational learning and aggression in children.

Maladaptive Behavior (Behavioral View)

A failure to learn appropriate behaviors or the acquisition of ineffective responses; treated by teaching appropriate behaviors and extinguishing maladaptive ones.

Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective

A perspective established as a reaction to the simplicity of pure behaviorism, proposing that changing how one thinks directly changes how one feels and behaves.

Cognitive Triangle (CBT Triangle)

A conceptual model illustrating the continuous, reciprocal interaction among Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors.

Assimilation (Schemas)

Fitting new experiences into existing schemas by reinterpreting or distorting information to make it conform (e.g., depressed individuals favoring negative information over positive or neutral).

Accommodation (Schemas)

Changing existing cognitive frameworks to incorporate new information that does not fit; considered a basic goal of psychological therapies.

Aaron Beck

The psychiatrist recognized as the founder of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the dominant training mode in US clinical psychology doctoral programs.

Biological Factors in Psychopathology

Biological components contributing to mental health and mental illness, specifically neurotransmitters, hormones, and temperament.

Social Factors in Psychopathology

Societal and environmental influences on mental illness, including early deprivation or trauma, parenting problems, marital discord and divorce, low socioeconomic status, unemployment, maladaptive peer relationships, and prejudice and discrimination.