Psych vocab

Fixed-interval Schedule - a reinforcement schedule in which the first response is rewarded only after a specified time interval has elapsed.

Secondary Reinforcer - a stimulus that reinforces a behavior after it has been associated with a primary reinforcer.

Negative Reinforcement - the removal or avoidance of an aversive stimulus, which increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Instinctive Drift - the tendency of animals to revert to innate, instinctual behaviors that interfere with operant conditioning, despite training to the contrary.

The Law of Effect - proposed by Edward L. Thorndike, this states that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated.

Acquisition - the initial stage of learning when a response is first established and gradually strengthened through reinforcement

Positive Reinforcement - the presentation of a desirable stimulus following a behavior, which

increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future.

Social Learning Theory - proposed by Albert Bandura, this idea emphasizes the role of observation, imitation, and modeling in learning, suggesting that individuals learn through observing others' behavior and its consequences.

Habituation - a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated or prolonged exposure, reflecting a form of learning in which the stimulus becomes less novel or salient over time.

Insight Learning - A sudden realization of a problem's solution; a form of problem-solving where the answer seems to pop into the mind.

Variable-Ratio Schedule - a reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is delivered after a variable number of responses, with the average number of responses required for reinforcement remaining consistent.

Continuous Reinforcement Schedule - a reinforcement schedule in which every occurrence of the desired behavior is reinforced

Learned Helplessness - A condition in which a person suffers from a sense of powerlessness, arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed.

Reinforcement Discrimination - the ability to respond differently to similar but distinct stimuli, or to treat individuals or groups differently based on prejudiced beliefs or attitudes

Latent Learning - a form of learning that occurs without reinforcement and may not be immediately evident in behavior, but becomes apparent when there is an incentive or motivation to demonstrate it.

Punishment - a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior recurring, typically by presenting an aversive stimulus or removing a desirable one.

Unconditioned Stimulus - a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers an unconditioned response without prior learning or conditioning.

Conditioned Stimulus - a previously Fal stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a conditioned response.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule - a reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of responses.

Unconditioned Response - an automatic and unlearned response to a stimulus, such as a reflex, that occurs naturally without prior conditioning.

Shaping - a technique used in operant conditioning to gradually modify behavior by reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired behavior.

Variable-Interval Schedule - a reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is delivered after varying time intervals, with the average time between reinforcements remaining consistent.

Cognitive Map - a mental representation of one's spatial environment, including landmarks, routes, and relationships between locations

Operant Conditioning - a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by the consequences that follow it, such as reinforcement or punishment.

Cognitive Learning - encourages students to fully engage in the learning process so learning, thinking, and remembering get easier and easier.

Negative Punishment - The removal of a desired stimulus after a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

Negative Reinforcement - the removal or avoidance of an aversive stimulus, which increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Positive Punishment - The presentation of an aversive stimulus after a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

Positive Reinforcement - the presentation of a desirable stimulus following a behavior, which increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future.

Conditioned Response - a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus, acquired through classical conditioning

Conditioned Stimulus - a previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Response - an automatic and unlearned response to a stimulus, such as a reflex, that occurs naturally without prior conditioning.

Unconditioned Stimulus - a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers an unconditioned response without prior learning or conditioning.

Fixed-interval Schedule - a reinforcement schedule in which the first response is rewarded only after a specified time interval has elapsed.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule - a reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of responses.

Variable-Interval Schedule - a reinforcement schedule in which reinforcement is delivered after varying time intervals, with the average time between reinforcements remaining consistent.