Week 7 intro to psych. notes

Habituation

A decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure. Example: City dwellers become less aware of traffic noise over time.

Dishabituation

An increase in response due to a change in a familiar stimulus. Example: Noticing traffic noise when it suddenly stops.

Classical Conditioning

Learning through associations between stimuli.

Pavlov's Experiment

A study demonstrating classical conditioning where dogs learned to associate a bell (CS) with food (US), leading to salivation (CR).

Second Order Conditioning

Pairing a new CS (light) with an established CS (bell) to elicit a CR (salivation).

Stimulus Generalization

Responding to stimuli similar to the original CS. Example: A dog responds to bells of varying pitches.

Discrimination

Learning to respond differently to distinct stimuli. Example: Responding to a red light (CS+) but not an orange light (CS-).

Extinction

The CR diminishes when the CS is presented without the US. Example: A dog stops salivating to the bell if food is no longer presented.

Spontaneous Recovery

The re-emergence of a CR after a period of extinction.

Drug Conditioning

Drugs can become associated with environmental cues, leading to conditioned compensatory responses that alter drug effects.

Operant Conditioning

Learning through consequences of behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a rewarding stimulus (e.g., food).

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an aversive stimulus (e.g., stopping a beeping sound).

Punishment

Decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

Reinforcement Schedules

Plans for determining when a behavior will be reinforced.

Shaping

Gradually reinforcing closer approximations of a desired behavior.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

Uses operant conditioning to improve skills in individuals with autism. Effectiveness is promising but not conclusive.

Cognitivism

A response to behaviorism emphasizing internal mental processes.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without immediate behavior change (e.g., rats navigating a maze).

Observational Learning

Learning by observing others, as demonstrated in Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment.

Metacognition

Awareness and regulation of one's own learning processes.

Constructivism

Emphasizes active construction of knowledge based on personal experiences.

Constructivist Teaching

Collaborative learning and real-world problem-solving.

Humanism

Focuses on personal growth and fulfillment of potential.

Grit

A non-cognitive factor linked to success, emphasizing perseverance.

Gamification in Education

Incorporates gaming elements to enhance motivation and engagement through feedback and challenges.