Behaviorism and Social Cognitive Theory

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to behaviorism and social cognitive theory, aiding in the understanding of learning and behavior.

Behaviorism

A psychological theory that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they're learned from the environment.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; an involuntary response is elicited by a neutral stimulus after being associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior, influencing the likelihood of repeating those behaviors.

Self-Efficacy

Belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Observational Learning

A process of learning that occurs through observing the behavior of others and the outcomes of those behaviors.

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of a rewarding stimulus following a desired behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior being repeated.

Positive Punishment

The addition of an unpleasant stimulus in response to a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

Negative Punishment

The removal of a pleasant stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.

Expectancy

The belief that a specific behavior will lead to a desired outcome based on past experiences.

Reinforcement Value

The degree of desirability or appeal of a particular outcome, influencing one's motivation to engage in a behavior.

Social Learning Theory

A theory that emphasizes the acquisition of behavior patterns through observation and modeling, accounting for both environmental factors and cognitive processes.

Mastery Experience

Successfully achieving a task, which strengthens beliefs in one's capabilities for future challenges.

Vicarious Experience

Learning that occurs through observing the reinforcement or punishment of another person's behavior.

Locus of Control

A theoretical construct that reflects the degree to which individuals believe that they have control over the outcomes in their lives.

Cognitive Factors

Internal processes such as thoughts, emotions, and perceptions that can influence behaviors and learning outcomes.

Behavior Potential Formula

A formula proposed by Julian Rotter that predicts likelihood of engaging in a behavior based on expectancy and reinforcement values.