Studied by 14 people
Learning
A relatively permanent change in behaviour or the capacity for behaviour due to experience
Instincts
An inborn pattern of behaviour elicited by environmental stimuli; also known as a fixed action pattern
Classical conditioning
A type of learning in which associations are formed between two stimuli that occur sequentially in time
Operant conditioning
A type of learning in which associations are formed between behaviours and their outcomes
Habituation
A simple form of learning in which reactions to repeated stimuli that are unchanging and harmless decrease
Sensitization
An increased reaction to many stimuli following exposure to one strong stimulus
Unconditioned stimulus
A stimulus that elicits a response without prior experience
Unconditioned response
A response to an unconditioned stimulus that requires no previous experience
Conditioned stimulus
An environmental event whose significance is learned through classical conditioning
Conditioned response
A response learned through classical conditioning
Acquisition
The development of a learned response
Extinction
The reduction of a learned response. In classical conditioning, extinction occurs when the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) no longer follows the conditioned stimulus (CS). In operant conditioning, extinction occurs when the consequence no longer follows the learned behaviour
Spontaneous recovery
During extinction training, the reappearance of conditioned responses (CRs) after periods of rest
Generalization
The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to an original conditioned stimulus (CS)
Discrimination
A learned ability to distinguish between stimuli
Taste aversion
a learned association between the taste of a particular food and an aversive effect due to an aversive stimuli being paired with that food.
Biological preparedness
the idea that organisms are biologically predisposed to quickly learning associations between stimuli, responses, and reinforcers
Rescorla-Wagner model
a cognitive model of classical conditioning which states that the strength of the CS (conditioned stimulus)-US association is determined by the extent to which the US is unexpected or surprising → leads to greater effort by the learner to understand why the US (unconditioned stimulus) appeared
Higher-order conditioning
Learning in which stimuli associated with a conditioned stimulus (CS) also elicit conditioned responses (CRs)
Latent inhibition
The slower learning that occurs when a conditioned stimulus (CS) is already familiar compared to when the CS is unfamiliar
Thordike’s law of effect
any behaviour that leads to a satisfying state of affairs is more likely to occur again, and any behaviour that leads to an annoying state of affairs is less likely to recur
Positive reinforcement
A method for increasing behaviors by administration of a reward when a desired behavior is exhibited
Negative reinforcement
A method for increasing behaviours that allow an organism to escape or avoid an unpleasant consequence
Positive punishment
A consequence that eliminates or reduces the frequency of a behaviour by applying an aversive stimulus
Negative punishment
A method for reducing behaviour by removing something desirable whenever the target behaviour occurs
Primary reinforcer
biological need
secondary (conditioned reinforcer)
rewarding due to association with primary reinforcer from classical conditioning
Premack principle
high probability behaviour used to reinforce lower probability behaviours
Shaping
involves reinforcing behaviours that are increasingly similar to the desired behaviour
Partial reinforcement
The reinforcement of a desired behaviour on some occasions, but not others
Fixed ratio schedule
A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement occurs following a set number of behaviours
Fixed interval schedule
A schedule of reinforcement in which the first response following a specified interval is reinforced (worst method)
Variable ratio schedule
A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement occurs following some variable number of behaviors (best method)
Variable interval schedule
A schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement occurs following some variable number of behaviours
Biological constraints
animals have a difficult time learning behaviours that are incompatible with innate, adaptive behaviours
Instinctive drift
the tendency of animals to fall back into their predisposed behaviours even after conditioning
Latent learning
Learning that occurs in the absence of reinforcement
Observational learning/Social learning theory
Learning that occurs when one organism watches the actions of another organism; also known as social learning or modelling
Hebb’s rule
neurons that fire together wire together
Bobo Doll Experiment
found that learning is due to modelling, imitation and other social interactions
in accordance with behaviourism
Note 
Flashcard (24)