Chapter 7: "learning" - Psychology, Myers 9Th Edition

Front 1

associative learning

Back 1

learning that certain events occur together.

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

Front 2

classical conditioning

Back 2

a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more simuli and anticipate events

Front 3

behaviorism

Back 3

the view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes.

Most research psychologists agree with (1) but not (2).

Front 4

unconditioned response (UR)

Back 4

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

Front 5

unconditioned stimulus (US)

Back 5

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

Front 6

conditioned response (CR)

Back 6

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

Front 7

conditioned stimulus (CS)

Back 7

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

Front 8

acquisition

Back 8

in classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response.

in operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response.

Front 9

higher-order conditioning

Back 9

a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus.

Also called second-order conditioning.

Front 10

extinction

Back 10

the diminishing of a conditioned response (CR).

Occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced.

Front 11

spontaneous recovery

Back 11

the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response (CR)

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 (CS) and stimuli that do not signal and unconditioned stimulus (US).

Front 14

respondent behavior

Back 14

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus

Front 15

operant conditioning

Back 15

a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

Front 16

operant behavior

Back 16

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

Front 17

law of effect

Back 17

Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely

Front 18

operant chamber

Back 18

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

Front 19

shaping

Back 19

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

Front 20

reinforcer

Back 20

in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows

Front 21

positive reinforcement

Back 21

increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli.

A "positive reinforcer" is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens that response.

Front 22

negative reinforcement

Back 22

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli.

A "negative reinforcer" is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response.

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.

Also known as a secondary reinforcer

Front 25

continuous reinforcement

Back 25

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Front 26

partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Back 26

reinforcing a response only part of the time.

Results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.

Front 27

fixed-ratio schedule

Back 27

reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

Front 28

variable-ratio schedule

Back 28

reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

Front 29

fixed-interval schedule

Back 29

reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed

Front 30

variable-interval schedule

Back 30

reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals

Front 31

cognitive map

Back 31

a mental representation of the layout of one's environment

Front 32

latent learning

Back 32

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

Front 33

intrinsic motivation

Back 33

a desire to perform a behavior effectively for its own sake

Front 34

extrinsic motivation

Back 34

a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment

Front 35

observational learning

Back 35

learning by observing others

Front 36

modeling

Back 36

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Front 37

mirror neurons

Back 37

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 and empathy.

Front 38

prosocial behavior

Back 38

positive, constructive, helpful behavior.

The opposite of antisocial behavior.