Learning Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to the various types of learning as outlined in the lecture notes.

Learning

The process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors.

Associative Learning

Learning to associate one stimulus with another.

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning where an originally neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

An originally neutral stimulus that comes to trigger a conditioned response after being associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior conditioning.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

The unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Extinction

The gradual weakening of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus.

Generalization

The tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli.

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by reinforcement or diminished if followed by punishment.

Positive Reinforcement

The introduction of a positive stimulus following a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of a negative stimulus following a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

Punishment

An event that decreases the behavior that it follows.

Observational Learning

Learning by observing others and imitating their behavior.

Modeling

The process of observing and imitating specific behaviors.