PSYC 104 Chapter 5- Learning

Learning

A relatively permanent change in an organism’s behavior due to experience.

Associative Learning

Learning that involves associating two events.

Classical Conditioning

Learning to associate two stimuli, such as a tone and food.

Operant Conditioning

Learning to associate a behavior with its consequences.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response, such as food.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

The natural response to the unconditioned stimulus, like salivation.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

Previously the neutral stimulus, which now triggers a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to the conditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The initial stage when the neutral stimulus becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus.

Extinction

The weakening and eventual disappearance of the conditioned response when the CS is presented without the US.

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of the conditioned response after a period of extinction.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus Discrimination

The learned ability to distinguish between the conditioned stimulus and other stimuli.

Taste Aversion

A learned avoidance of a specific food or taste that has been associated with illness.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to be repeated.

Operant Chamber (Skinner Box)

An enclosure used to study animal behavior by providing rewards for specific actions.

Reinforcer

Any event that strengthens the behavior it follows.

Primary Reinforcer

An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as food or water.

Conditioned Reinforcer (Secondary Reinforcer)

A stimulus that gains its power through association with a primary reinforcer.

Immediate Reinforcer

Occurs instantly after a behavior, reinforcing that behavior immediately.

Delayed Reinforcer

A reward that is received after some time has passed, like a monthly paycheck.

Positive Punishment

Administering an aversive stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Negative Punishment

Withdrawing a desirable stimulus to decrease a behavior.

Observational Learning

Learning by observing and imitating others.

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that activate when observing others performing an action, aiding in imitation.

Biological Constraints

The concept that some associations are easier to learn due to biological relevance.

Cognitive Processes

The mental processes that enable prediction of events based on experiences.

Classical Conditioning: Example

Pavlov's dog experiment, where dogs salivate in response to a tone.

Operant Conditioning: Example

Skinner's experiments demonstrating reinforcement of behavior in animals.

Applications of Classical Conditioning

Used in contexts like drug addiction and advertising to elicit emotional responses.

Punishment Effects

Negative impacts resulting from punishment such as fear or aggression.

Observational Learning: Bobo Doll

Bandura's experiment showing children learn aggression by watching others.

Cognitive Maps

Mental representations that help in predicting events based on prior experiences.