Psychology 2e - Learning and Conditioning

These flashcards cover key concepts of learning and conditioning from psychology, including classical and operant conditioning, cognitive aspects of learning, and observational learning.

What are instincts and reflexes?

Innate behaviors that organisms are born with, helping them adapt to their environment.

What is learning?

A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge that results from experience.

What is classical conditioning?

A process by which we learn to associate stimuli and anticipate events.

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

A stimulus that elicits a reflexive response without prior learning.

What is the difference between a conditioned response (CR) and an unconditioned response (UCR)?

A CR is learned through conditioning, while a UCR is a natural reaction.

What is higher-order conditioning?

When a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus, leading the new stimulus to elicit the conditioned response.

What is stimulus discrimination?

When an organism learns to respond differently to similar stimuli.

What is operant conditioning?

A theory where organisms learn to associate behaviors with their consequences.

What is reinforcement?

Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

What is the law of effect?

Pleasant consequences increase the likelihood of a behavior, while unpleasant consequences decrease it.

What is shaping in operant conditioning?

A technique where successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced.

What are primary and secondary reinforcers?

Primary reinforcers have innate values (food, water), while secondary reinforcers gain value through association.

What is continuous reinforcement?

Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs, leading to quick learning.

What are fixed and variable reinforcement schedules?

Fixed schedules have set criteria for reinforcement, while variable schedules change criteria unpredictably.

What did Edward C. Tolman's research demonstrate about latent learning?

Learning can occur without reinforcement and become evident when there's a reason to demonstrate it.

What is observational learning?

Learning that occurs by watching others and imitating their behaviors.

What are the four steps in Bandura's modeling process?

Attention, Retention, Reproduction, and Motivation.

What was the impact of Bandura's Bobo doll experiment?

Children learn and replicate aggressive behaviors modeled by adults, influenced by the outcomes observed.