Untitled Flashcards Set

Acquisition

Developing a conditioned response by associating a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.

Bobo Doll Study

Study by Albert Bandura showing that children learn social behavior through observation and imitation.

Chaining

A behavioral technique that links together a series of behaviors to form a complex behavior.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process where a neutral stimulus is associated with a meaningful stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of physical locations based on experiences.

Conditioned Response

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has been associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, causes a conditioned response.

Continuous Schedule of Reinforcement

A reinforcement schedule where the desired behavior is reinforced every time it occurs.

Extinction

The loss of a conditioned response when reinforcement is no longer given.

Fixed-Interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that provides reinforcement after a fixed amount of time.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that provides reinforcement after a specific number of responses.

Intermittent (Partial) Reinforcement Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that reinforces behavior only some of the time.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs but is not evident until there is an incentive to demonstrate it.

Modeling

The process of observing and imitating specific behaviors.

Negative Punishment

The removal of a stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of a stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that initially elicits no response but can become a conditioned stimulus.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process in which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.

Positive Punishment

An aversive stimulus introduced to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of a reward stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Primary Reinforcer

A naturally reinforcing stimulus, such as food or water.

Punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior.

Secondary Reinforcer

A stimulus that gains reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer.

Shaping

The process in operant conditioning where approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced.

Skinner Box (Operant Conditioning Chamber)

A controlled environment used to study operant conditioning with animals.

Social Learning Theory

The theory that people learn from others through observation, imitation, and modeling.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response when an unconditioned stimulus is presented again.

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to respond only to the conditioned stimulus and not to other similar stimuli.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Token Economy

A system of behavior modification based on reinforcing target behaviors.

Unconditioned Response

A natural response that occurs automatically in reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response.

Variable-Interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that provides reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time.

Variable-Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses.

Vicarious Conditioning (Observational Learning)

Learning that occurs by observing the experiences of others.

Aversive Conditioning

A behavior modification technique that uses an aversive stimulus to modify undesirable behavior.

Avoidance Learning

Learning to prevent an unpleasant stimulus by taking specific actions.

Backward Conditioning

A conditioning procedure in which the unconditioned stimulus is presented before the conditioned stimulus.

Counterconditioning

A behavior therapy technique that involves classical conditioning to evoke new responses to stimuli that trigger unwanted behaviors.

Escape Conditioning

A type of negative reinforcement where an organism learns to escape from an aversive stimulus.

Habituation

A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Higher Order Conditioning (Secondary)

A process in which a previously neutral stimulus is paired with a conditioned stimulus.

Instinctive Drift

The tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behaviors that interfere with conditioned responses.

Law of Effect

The principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to occur, while those followed by unfavorable consequences are less likely to occur.

Mirror Neuron

A type of brain cell that activates both when a person acts and when they observe the same action performed by another.

Overjustification Effect

A phenomenon where intrinsic motivation for an activity decreases when an external reward is introduced.

Puzzle Box

An experimental apparatus used by Edward Thorndike to study problem-solving behavior in animals.

Taste Aversion

A learned avoidance of a particular food or drink due to a negative experience.

Accommodation

Modifying one's cognitive schema based on new information.

Animism

The belief that objects, places, and creatures possess a distinct spiritual essence.

Assimilation

Incorporating new information into existing cognitive schemas.

Attachment

An emotional bond between a child and caregiver.

Authoritarian Parenting Style

A parenting style characterized by high demands and low responsiveness.

Authoritative Parenting Style

A parenting style characterized by high demands and high responsiveness.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

A stage in psychosocial development where a child learns personal control.

Concrete Operational Stage

The third stage of Piaget's cognitive development, where children gain a better understanding of mental operations.

Conservation

The understanding that quantity does not change when its shape does.

Contact Comfort

The comfort derived from physical touch, as proposed in attachment theory.

Conventional Level of Moral Reasoning

A stage in moral development where moral reasoning is based on societal norms.

Critical Period

A specific time during development when an organism is particularly susceptible to certain experiences.

Discontinuity

A concept in development characterized by abrupt changes rather than gradual progression.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins that result from the fertilization of two separate eggs.

Egocentrism

The inability to understand another person's perspective, commonly observed in developmental psychology.

Embryonic Stage

The second stage of prenatal development, lasting from the 2nd to the 8th week.

Fetal Stage

The final stage of prenatal development, beginning at week 9, where the organism is termed a fetus.

Formal Operational Stage

The final stage of Piaget's cognitive development where abstract thinking emerges.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

A stage in psychosocial development where individuals feel a desire to contribute to the next generation, typically in mid-life.

Germinal Stage (Zygotic)

The first stage of prenatal development, lasting from conception to the end of the second week.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

A stage in psychosocial development where individuals explore independence and develop a sense of self.

Imprinting

The process where certain animals form attachments during a critical period shortly after birth.

Industry vs. Inferiority

A stage in psychosocial development where individuals learn to master new skills, crucial for self-esteem.

Initiative vs. Guilt

A psychosocial stage where children assert control over their environment through directed play and social interaction.

Integrity vs. Despair

A stage in psychosocial development where individuals reflect on their life and either feel fulfillment or regret.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

A stage of psychosocial development where adults form intimate relationships or feel isolated.

Maturation

A developmental process involving physical, mental, and emotional growth.

Monozygotic Twin

Identical twins formed from a single fertilized egg that splits into two.

Moro Reflex

An infant's startle reflex characterized by throwing out limbs in response to sudden loss of support.

Nature vs. Nurture

The debate over whether genetics or environment has a greater influence on development.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not seen.

Permissive Parenting Style

A parenting style characterized by low demands and high responsiveness.

Postconventional Level of Moral Reasoning

A stage in moral development characterized by reasoning based on individual principles and conscience.

Preconventional Level of Moral Reasoning

A stage in moral development characterized by reasoning based on external consequences.

Preoperational Stage

The second stage of Piaget's cognitive development where children begin to use language and think symbolically.

Primary Sex Characteristic

The reproductive organs and genitalia directly involved in reproduction.

Psychosocial Development

The development of personality and social relationships throughout the lifespan.

Reversibility

The understanding that actions can be reversed to return to an original state.

Rooting Reflex

An automatic response in infants where they turn their head toward anything that touches their cheek.

Secondary Sex Characteristic

Features that develop during puberty but are not directly related to reproduction.

Secure Attachment

A stable and positive emotional bond between a caregiver and child.

Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage of Piaget's cognitive development; infants learn about the world through their senses and actions.

Strange Situation Test

An experiment by Mary Ainsworth to observe attachment relationships between caregivers and children.

Temperament

An innate trait that influences how one thinks, behaves, and reacts within their environment.

Teratogen

Any substance that can cause abnormal development in a fetus.

Trust vs. Mistrust

The first stage of psychosocial development where infants learn to either trust or mistrust their caregivers.

Anxious-Avoidant Attachment

An attachment style characterized by avoidance of emotional connection.

Babinski Reflex

A reflexive response in infants where the toes fan out when the foot is touched.

Gender Identity

An individual's conception of themselves as male, female, both, or neither.

Gender Schema Theory

The theory that children learn about gender roles through social interactions.

Gender Typing

The process by which individuals acquire characteristics associated with their gender roles.