Unit 3B Vocab: Learning

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge caused by experience

Behavioral perspective

An approach that explains behavior as learned through interaction with the environment

Classical conditioning

Learning in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus that naturally produces a response

Acquisition

The initial stage of conditioning when a learned response is first formed

UCS (unconditioned stimulus)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning

UCR (unconditioned response)

An automatic, unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus

CS (conditioned stimulus)

A previously neutral stimulus that triggers a learned response after association

CR (conditioned response)

A learned response to a conditioned stimulus

Extinction

The weakening or disappearance of a conditioned response when reinforcement stops

Spontaneous recovery

The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a pause

Stimulus generalization

Responding similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus

Stimulus discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant stimuli

Higher order conditioning

Conditioning in which a new stimulus becomes associated with an already conditioned stimulus

Classical conditioning of emotions

Learning emotional reactions through stimulus associations

Classical conditioning in therapy (counterconditioning)

A therapy method that replaces unwanted responses with healthier conditioned responses

Taste aversions

Learned avoidance of foods linked to illness or discomfort

One trial conditioning

Learning that occurs after a single pairing of stimuli

Biological preparedness

An innate tendency to form certain associations more easily due to evolutionary factors

Habituation

Reduced response to a repeated stimulus over time

Operant conditioning

Learning in which behavior is shaped by consequences like reinforcement or punishment

The Law of Effect

Principle stating behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to recur

Reinforcement vs. punishment

Reinforcement strengthens behavior while punishment weakens it

Positive reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase behavior

Negative reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior

Positive punishment

Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease behavior

Negative punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease behavior

Primary reinforcers

Reinforcers that satisfy biological needs

Secondary reinforcers

Learned reinforcers that gain value through association

Reinforcement discrimination

Learning to respond only to stimuli signaling reinforcement

Reinforcement generalization

Responding similarly to stimuli associated with reinforcement

Shaping

Reinforcing gradual steps toward a target behavior

Instinctive drift

The tendency for learned behaviors to revert to natural instincts

Superstitious behaviors

Behaviors repeated due to accidental reinforcement associations

Learned helplessness

Passive behavior resulting from repeated exposure to uncontrollable situations

Schedules of reinforcement

Rules determining when reinforcement is delivered

Continuous reinforcement

Reinforcing behavior every time it occurs

Partial reinforcement

Reinforcing behavior intermittently

Fixed ratio schedule

Reinforcement after a set number of responses

Variable ratio schedule

Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses

Fixed interval schedule

Reinforcement after a fixed time period

Variable interval schedule

Reinforcement after unpredictable time intervals

Graph pattern of responses

Predictable response patterns produced by reinforcement schedules, such as scalloped responding in fixed interval schedules

Social learning theory

The view that learning occurs through observing others

Observational learning

Learning by watching and imitating others

Vicarious conditioning

Learning emotional or behavioral responses by observing consequences experienced by others

Modeling

Demonstrating behaviors for others to imitate

Insight learning

Sudden realization of a solution without trial-and-error behavior

Latent learning

Learning that occurs without reinforcement and becomes apparent later

Cognitive maps

Mental representations of spatial relationships in an environmen