Define Terms Of Psychology Of Basic Learning Flashcards

Learning Enduring changes in behavior that occur with experience. Association Process by with two pieces of information from the environment are repeatedly linked so that we begin to connect them in our minds. Conditioning A form of associative learning in which behaviors are triggered by associations with events in the environment. Classical Conditioning Form of associative learning in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a stimulus to which one has an automatic, inborn response. Unconditioned response (UR) The automatic, inborn reaction to a stimulus. Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) The environmental input that always produces the same unlearned respones. Conditioned Stimulus A previously neutral input that an organism learns to associate with the UCS. Conditioned Response A behavior that an organism learns to preform when presented with the CS. Stimulus Discrimination Restriction of a CR (such as salivation) to the exact CS to which it was conditioned. Stimulus Generalization Extension of the association between UCS and CS to include a broad array of similar stimuli. Extinction The weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response, which occurs when the UCS is no longer paired with the CS. Spontaneous Recovery The sudden reappearance of an extinguished responese. Law of Effect The consequences of a behavior increase(or decrease) the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated. Operant Conditioning The process of changing behavior by manipulating the consequences of the behavior. Reinforcer An internal or external event that increases the frequency of a behavior. Primary Reinforcers Innate, unlearned reinforcers that satisfy biological needs (food, water etc.) Secondary (or conditioned) Reinforcers Reinforcers that are learned by association, usually via classical conditioning. Positive reinforcement The presentation or addition of a stimulus after a behavior occurs that increases how often the behavior will occur. Negative Reinforcement Removal of a stimulus after a behavior to increase the frequency of that behavior. Punishment Stimulus, presented after a behavior, that decreases the frequency of the behavior. Negative Punishment The removal of a stimuls to decrease behavior. Positive Punishment The addition of a stimulus that decrease behavior. Skinner Box Simple chamber used for operant conditioning of small animals. Shaping The reinforcement of successive approximations of a desired behavior. Continuous Reinforcement Reinforcement of a behavior every time in occurs. Intermittent Reinforcement Reinforcement of a behavior-but not after every response. Schedules of Reinforcement Patterns of reinforcements distinguished by whether reinforcement occurs after a set number of responses or after a certain amount of time has passed since the last reinforcement. Fixed ration (FR) schedule Pattern of intermittent reinforcement in reinforcement follows a set number of responses. Variable ratio (VR) Schedule Pattern of intermittent reinforcement in which the number of responses needed for reinforcement changes. Fixed interval (FI) Schedule Pattern of intermittent reinforcement in which responses are reinforced after time periods of differnet durations have passed. Instinctive Drift Learned behavior that shifts toward instinctive, unlearned behavior tendencies. Biological Constraint Model View on learning proposing that some behaviors are inherently more likely to be learned than others. Latent Learning Learning that occurs in the absence of reinforcement and is not demonstrated until later, when reinforcement occurs. Conditioned Taste Aversion The learned avoidance of a particular taste or food. Enactive Learning Learning by doing. Observational Learning Learning by watching the behavior of others. Social Learning Theory A description of the kind of learning that occurs when we model or imitate the behavior of others. Modeling The imitation of behaviors performed by others. Imprinting The rapid and innate learning of the characteristics of a caregiver very soon after birth. Ethology The scientific study of animal behavior. Behavior Modification The application of operant conditioning principles to change behavior.