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learning
a relatively permanent change in behavior
classical conditioning
teaching a reflex by pairing with something that already causes the reflex
Ivan Pavlov
key researcher on classical conditioning; studied salivation in dogs
unconditioned stimulus (US)
something that naturally causes a reflex (for example, lemon flavor)
unconditioned response (UR)
a naturally occurring reflex (for example, a sour face from lemon)
conditioned stimulus (CS)
something that comes to cause a reflex after pairing (for example, the word conditioning)
conditioned response (CR)
a learned response or reflex (for example, a sour face from the word conditioning)
acquisition
the process of learning a reflex through pairing
extinction
the disappearance of a response after the pairing stops
spontaneous recovery
the sudden reappearance of an extinct response
generalization
the tendency to respond to similar stimuli (for example, a dog trained with a bell also drooling to the doorbell and a phone ringing)
discrimination
the ability to distinguish between two stimuli (for example a dog trained to drool to a C on the piano but not a D)
operant conditioning
the process of encouraging a behavior with a reinforcer or discouraging it with a punisher
B.F. Skinner
key researcher on operant conditioning
operant chamber
an environmentally controlled cage used in conditioning research
reinforcement
always encourages a behavior (regardless of whether the behavior is good or bad)
shaping
reinforcing through a series of steps until the final behavior is reached
positive reinforcement
giving something pleasant to encourage a behavior (for example, five extra credit points if everyone does well on the test)
negative reinforcement
taking away something unpleasant to encourage a behavior (for example, no more tests if everyone does well)
positive punishment
giving something unpleasant to discourage a behavior (for example, more chores)
negative punishment
taking away something pleasant to discourage a behavior (for example, grounding)
primary reinforcer
something you can enjoy right away (candy)
secondary reinforcer
something you can store up to use later for a primary reinforcer (money)
continuous reinforcement
reinforcing a desired response every time it happens
partial reinforcement
reinforcing a response only part of the time
fixed-ratio schedule
reinforcing a response after a certain number of responses (Buy 10 DQ items, get 1 free.)
variable-ratio schedule
reinforcing a response after a random number of responses (Pull the slot and maybe this time you'll win.)
fixed-interval schedule
reinforcing a response after a scheduled amount of time has passed (Special price on pizza every Tuesday.)
variable-interval schedule
reinforcing a response after a random amount of time has passed (Checking your e-mail when waiting for a message.)
behaviorism
a branch of science that studies behavior objectively and without regard to mental processes
latent learning
learning that you store info to use later
intrinsic motivation
an internal desire to do something
extrinsic motivation
a desire to do something to get an external reward (or to avoid punishment)
observational learning
learning by watching others
modeling
imitating others after watching them
mirror neurons
neurons that fire not only when we do something but when we watch someone else do it
