Unit 6 AP Psych

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.

Habituation

Decreased response to a repeated, harmless stimulus.

Stimulus

Any event or situation that evokes a response.

Cognitive Learning

Learning through mental processes such as observation or insight.

Classical Conditioning

Learning by associating two stimuli so that one predicts the other.

Behaviorism

The view that psychology should study observable behavior.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that does not initially produce a response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

An unlearned response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that triggers a learned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a conditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial learning of the stimulus-response relationship.

Higher-Order Conditioning

When a conditioned stimulus becomes linked to another stimulus.

Extinction

The weakening of a conditioned response when the CS is no longer paired with the US.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a pause.

Generalization

Responding similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.

Discrimination

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

Operant Conditioning

Learning where behavior is shaped by consequences.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to recur.

Operant Chamber (Skinner Box)

A controlled environment used to study operant conditioning.

Reinforcer

Any event that increases the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding something desirable to increase behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing something unpleasant to increase behavior.

Primary Reinforcer

A naturally rewarding stimulus (e.g., food, water).

Conditioned Reinforcer

A stimulus that gains value through association (e.g., money).

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs.

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

Reinforcing a behavior only sometimes.

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 set amount of time.

Variable-Interval Schedule

Reinforcement after varying time intervals.

Punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of the layout of an environment.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without reinforcement and is shown later.

Insight

A sudden realization of a problem’s solution.

Intrinsic Motivation

Desire to perform a behavior for its own sake.

Extrinsic Motivation

Desire to perform a behavior to gain rewards or avoid punishment.

Observational Learning

Learning by watching others.

Modeling

Imitating behavior observed in others.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire when performing or observing an action.

Prosocial Behavior

Positive, helpful behavior toward others.

Antisocial Behavior

Harmful or aggressive behavior toward others.