Ap Psych Learning (Ch 8) Terms

Front 1

learning

Back 1

A relatively permanent change in an organism's behaviour due to experience.

Front 2

associative learning

Back 2

Learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequences (as in operant conditioning).

Front 3

classical conditioning

Back 3

A type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neutral stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus (US) begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus. Also called Pavlovian or respondent conditioning.

Front 4

behaviourism

Back 4

The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behaviour without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2).

Front 5

unconditioned response

Back 5

In classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivation when food is in the mouth.

Front 6

unconditioned stimulus

Back 6

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally- naturally and automatically- triggers a response.

Front 7

conditioned response

Back 7

In classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS).

Front 8

conditioned stimulus

Back 8

In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response.

Front 9

acquisition

Back 9

The initial stage in classical conditioning

Front 10

extinction

Back 10

The diminishing of a conditioned response

Front 11

spontaneous recovery

Back 11

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.

Front 12

generalization

Back 12

The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.

Front 13

discrimination

Back 13

In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Front 14

operant conditioning

Back 14

A type of learning in which behaviour is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher.

Front 15

respondent behaviour

Back 15

Behaviour that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Front 16

operant behaviour

Back 16

Behaviour that operates on the environment, producing consequences.

Front 17

law of effect

Back 17

Thorndike's principle that behaviours followed by favourable consequences become more likely, and that behaviours followed by unfavourable consequences become less likely.

Front 18

operant chamber

Back 18

A chamber also known as a Skinner box, containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animal's rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research.

Front 19

shaping

Back 19

An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behaviour toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behaviour.

Front 20

reinforcer

Back 20

In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behaviour it follows.

Front 21

positive reinforcement

Back 21

Increasing behaviours by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

Front 22

negative reinforcement

Back 22

Increasing behaviours by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note

Front 23

primary reinforcer

Back 23

An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need.

Front 24

conditioned reinforcer

Back 24

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

Front 25

continuous reinforcement

Back 25

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Front 26

partial reinforcement

Back 26

Reinforcing a response only part of the time

Front 27

fixed-ratio schedule

Back 27

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.

Front 28

variable-ratio schedule

Back 28

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.

Front 29

fixed-interval schedule

Back 29

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after specified time has elapsed.

Front 30

variable-interval schedule

Back 30

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.

Front 31

punishment

Back 31

An event that decreases the behaviour that it follows.

Front 32

cognitive map

Back 32

A mental representation of the layout of one's environment. For example, after exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it.

Front 33

latent learning

Back 33

Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it.

Front 34

intrinsic motivation

Back 34

A desire to perform a behavior for its own sake.

Front 35

extrinsic motivation

Back 35

A desire to perform a behavior due to promised rewards or threats of punishment.

Front 36

observational learning

Back 36

Learning by observing others.

Front 37

modeling

Back 37

The process of observing and imitating a specific behaviour.

Front 38

mirror neurons

Back 38

Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain's mirroring of another's action may enable imitation, language learning, and empathy.

Front 39

prosocial behaviour

Back 39

Positive, constructive, helpful behaviour. The opposite of antisocial behaviour.