Studied by 2 people
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.
Note 
Flashcard (102)