AP Psych Chapter 5 Vocab

ap psych

Classical conditioning

Learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that produces a response, eventually causing the neutral stimulus to elicit the same response. Also known as Pavlovian conditioning. (Page 198)

Example: The sight of a Starbucks cappuccino makes you feel energized even before drinking it. (Page 207)

Association: Little Albert experiment, Ivan Pavlov.

Little Albert experiment

A 1920 study by Watson and Rayner that conditioned a baby to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise, leading to fear of similar stimuli. (Page 204)

Example: Albert also feared a rabbit and a fur coat after the experiment.

Association: Classical conditioning, emotional responses.

Taste aversion

A conditioned dislike for a food after associating it with illness. (Page 210)

Example: Feeling nauseous after eating bad sushi and avoiding it forever.

Association: Classical conditioning, survival instincts.

Law of effect (Edward L. Thorndike)

Responses followed by satisfying effects are strengthened, while those with dissatisfying effects are weakened. (Page 213)

Example: A cat learning to escape a puzzle box faster after repeated successes.

Association: Operant conditioning, reinforcement.

Ivan Pavlov

Russian physiologist who discovered classical conditioning through experiments with dogs salivating to a bell. (Page 198)

Example: Dogs salivate when they hear a bell because it predicts food.

Association: Classical conditioning.

Unconditioned response (UCR)

Natural, unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus. (Page 198)

Example: Salivating when smelling food.

Association: Classical conditioning, reflex.

Conditioned response (CR)

Learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus. (Page 198)

Example: Feeling hungry when hearing a bell after conditioning.

Association: Classical conditioning.

Behaviorism

Psychological perspective emphasizing the study of observable behaviors and how they're learned. (Page 203)

Example: Training a dog to sit using treats.

Association: B.F. Skinner, operant conditioning.

Operant conditioning

Learning process where behavior is shaped by consequences, such as rewards or punishments. (Page 215)

Example: Getting extra screen time for finishing homework.

Association: B.F. Skinner, reinforcement schedules.

Negative reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior. (Page 216)

Example: Buckling your seatbelt to stop the car from beeping.

Association: Operant conditioning.

Punishment (by application and removal)

Consequences that reduce the likelihood of a behavior.

• By Application: Adding something unpleasant (e.g., getting a ticket for speeding). (Page 217)

• By Removal: Taking away something desirable (e.g., losing phone privileges). (Page 218)

Example: A child losing video game time for breaking curfew.

Association: Operant conditioning.

Operant chamber (Skinner box)

Device used to study animal behavior by controlling stimuli and rewards. (Page 220)

Example: A rat presses a lever to get food.

Association: Operant conditioning, reinforcement.

Shaping

Reinforcing gradual steps toward a desired behavior. (Page 220)

Example: Teaching a dog to roll over by rewarding each small step.

Association: Operant conditioning, behavior training.

B.F. Skinner

Psychologist who developed operant conditioning and studied the role of reinforcement in shaping behavior. (Page 214)

Example: Training pigeons to guide missiles in WWII.

Association: Skinner box, reinforcement schedules.

Aversive stimuli

Discomfort that an organism tries to escape or avoid. (Page 216)

Example: Avoiding homework to avoid stress.

Association: Negative reinforcement.

Fixed-ratio (FR) schedule

Reward after a set number of responses. (Page 225)

Example: Rat gets food after every 5 lever presses.

Association: Operant conditioning.

Variable-ratio (VR) schedule

Reward after a random number of responses. (Page 225)

Example: Winning on a slot machine.

Association: Operant conditioning.

Fixed-interval (FI) schedule

Reward after a set time passes. (Page 225)

Example: Rat gets food after pressing a lever every 30 seconds.

Association: Operant conditioning.

Variable-interval (VI) schedule

Reward after a random time passes. (Page 225)

Example: Checking for a text message.

Association: Operant conditioning.

Cognitive map (Edward C. Tolman)

Mental layout of an environment. (Page 228)

Example: Finding your way through a mall without a map.

Association: Latent learning.

Classic Bobo Doll Experiment (Albert Bandura)

Study showing children imitate aggression after observing adults doing the same on TV (Page 233)

Example: A child hitting a doll after watching an adult do it.

Association: Observational learning.

Behavior modification

Using learning principles to change behavior. (Page 225)

Example: Setting up a reward system to quit smoking.

Association: Operant conditioning, reinforcement.

Latent learning

Learning that isn't demonstrated until a reward is introduced. (Page 228)

Example: A mouse navigating a maze faster after finding food.

Association: Cognitive map.

Observational learning

Learning by observing others. (Page 232)

Example: Picking up a new dance move from a video.

Association: Social learning theory, Bobo doll experiment.

Instinctive drift

Tendency for animals to revert to instinctual behaviors, even after conditioning. (Page 232)

Example: A trained raccoon washing objects instead of depositing them in a box.

Association: Flaws in operant conditioning.