Unit E

Behavioral Perspective

Focus on how behavior is learned through interactions with the environment.

Behaviorist

Psychologist who studies observable behaviors and the principles of learning.

Classical Conditioning

Learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a response.

Acquisition

Initial stage of learning when a response is first established and gradually strengthened.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

Stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

Natural, unlearned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

Learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become conditioned.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.

Extinction

Gradual weakening of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Spontaneous Recovery

Reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a pause.

Discrimination

Ability to differentiate between similar stimuli and respond only to the conditioned stimulus.

Generalization

Tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Higher-Order Conditioning

Process where a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus to create a second conditioned stimulus.

Biological Preparedness

Predisposition to form associations between certain stimuli and responses due to evolution.

Habituation

Decrease in response to a repeated stimulus over time.

Operant Conditioning

Learning process where behavior is influenced by consequences such as reinforcement or punishment.

Law of Effect

Principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to recur.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Secondary Reinforcers

Stimuli that acquire their reinforcing power through association with primary reinforcers, like money or praise.

Shaping

Gradually reinforcing closer approximations of a desired behavior.

Superstitious Behavior

Actions repeated due to mistaken belief they are linked to reinforcement.

Continuous Reinforcement

Providing reinforcement every time a behavior occurs.

Fixed Interval

Reinforcement schedule where rewards are given after a fixed amount of time has passed.

Variable Interval

Reinforcement schedule where rewards are given after varying amounts of time.

Fixed Ratio

Reinforcement schedule where rewards are given after a set number of responses.

Variable Ratio

Reinforcement schedule where rewards are given after an unpredictable number of responses.

Social Learning Theory

Theory that people learn by observing and imitating others, as well as through direct reinforcement.

Vicarious Conditioning

Learning by observing the consequences of others' behavior.

Modeling

Process of imitating the behavior of a role model.

Insight Learning

Sudden realization or understanding of a problem's solution.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without immediate expression and is demonstrated when needed.

Cognitive Maps

Mental representations of physical spaces or layouts.

Primary Reinforces

Naturally reinforcing stimuli, such as food or water, that satisfy basic needs.

Observational Learning

Ability to learn a new behavior by watching others and imitating their actions.

Dependent Variable

This variable can be measured and is influenced by the independent variable.

Independent Variable

The variable the experimenter manipulates.