Learning: Observational Learning, Conditioning, and Memory (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from observational learning, conditioning, and memory discussed in the video lecture.

Observational learning

A form of cognitive learning in which responses are learned by watching others' behaviors and the consequences they experience.

Social cognitive theory

Bandura's theory merging behavioral and cognitive perspectives; learning occurs via observation, modeling, and cognitive processes.

Bandura

Albert Bandura, theorist who integrated behaviorism and cognition and developed social learning theory.

Bobo doll study

Classic Bandura experiment showing children imitate aggression after observing an model; variations show effects of modeling and consequences.

Modeling

Demonstrating a behavior for others to imitate; a key mechanism in observational learning.

Vicarious reinforcement

Learning that occurs by observing the consequences of others' behavior (reinforcement or punishment) rather than through direct experience.

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Positive reinforcement

Adding a rewarding stimulus to increase the frequency of a behavior.

Negative reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus to increase the frequency of a behavior.

Primary reinforcer

A reinforcer that fulfills a biological need (e.g., food, water) and is naturally rewarding.

Secondary (conditioned) reinforcer

A reinforcer that is learned (e.g., money, praise) because it is associated with primary reinforcers.

Punishment

Consequences that reduce the likelihood of a behavior being repeated; can be positive (adding a aversive) or negative (removing a pleasant).

Shaping

Gradually reinforcing closer and closer approximations to a desired behavior.

Skinner box

Operant chamber used to study reinforcement and behavior with animals.

Continuous reinforcement

Reinforcing every correct response; leads to rapid learning but rapid extinction when stopped.

Intermittent reinforcement

Reinforcing some, but not all, occurrences of a behavior; produces slower learning but greater resistance to extinction.

Classical conditioning

Learning by associating an initially neutral stimulus with a biologically relevant stimulus, producing a conditioned response.

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally elicits a response (e.g., food causing salivation in Pavlov’s dogs).

Unconditioned response (UR)

Natural, unlearned reaction to the US (e.g., salivation to food).

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with the US, elicits a conditioned response.

Conditioned response (CR)

Learned response to the conditioned stimulus (e.g., salivation to a bell).

Extinction (in conditioning)

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

Spontaneous recovery

Reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a rest period.

Mirror neurons

Neurons that fire both when an action is performed and when it is observed being performed by someone else; linked to imitation and observational learning.

Latent learning

Learning that occurs without obvious reinforcement and is not immediately expressed; can be revealed later.

Cognitive maps

Mental representations of spatial relationships used to navigate environments; linked to latent learning and observation.

Encoding

Modifying information to fit the memory system; often involves elaboration to add meaning.

Working memory

Briefly holds recently perceived information for about a minute without rehearsal; also called short-term memory.

Long-term memory

Stores information over long periods; divided into subsystems like declarative and procedural memory.

Sensory memory

Brief, initial sensory store with very large capacity that fades quickly; preserves sensory information.