Summary of Learning and Memory Theories in Psychology

These flashcards cover key concepts related to learning and memory theories in psychology, including behaviorist and socio-cognitive approaches, classical and operant conditioning, and types of memory.

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a result of experience.

Classical Conditioning

A process of learning through the involuntary association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus that results in a conditioned response.

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

The stimulus that produces no significant response prior to conditioning.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

The stimulus that produces an unconscious response.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

A naturally occurring behavioural response to an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

The stimulus that produces a conditioned response after being repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The response that occurs involuntarily after the conditioned stimulus is presented.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process in which behaviour is influenced by consequences, where reinforcements strengthen behaviour and punishments weaken it.

Reinforcement

Any stimulus that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a response.

Positive Reinforcer

A reward that strengthens a response by providing a pleasant consequence.

Negative Reinforcer

The removal or reduction of an unpleasant stimulus that strengthens a behaviour.

Vicarious Learning

Learning that occurs when individuals observe the actions of others and the consequences that follow them.

Socio-Cognitive Approach

A learning theory which posits that individuals learn in social contexts through observation and interaction.

Aphantasia

The inability to visualize mental imagery, leading to difficulties in remembering and imagining events.

Episodic Memory

A type of explicit memory that consists of personal experiences and specific events.

Semantic Memory

A type of explicit memory that consists of general knowledge and facts.

Flashbulb Memory

A vivid and detailed memory of a significant event, often emotionally charged.

Hippocampus

A brain region essential for the encoding and consolidation of explicit memories.

Amygdala

A brain structure involved in processing emotional memories and retrieving explicit memories.

Neocortex

The part of the brain involved in higher-order mental processes such as language and memory.

Basal Ganglia

Brain structures involved in learning and the encoding of implicit memories.

Cerebellum

A brain region involved in coordinating movement and storing implicit procedural memories.

Mnemonic Devices

Techniques used to improve memory by adding information to help organize material.