Psych 7: Learning

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learning

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a relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience

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behaviorism

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a theory of learning that focuses sole on observable behaviors, discounting the importance of such mental activity as thinking, wishing and hoping

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associative learning

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learning in which a connection, or an association, is made between two events

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observational learning

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learning that occurs when a person observes and imitates another's behavior; also called modeling

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classical conditioning

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learning by which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response

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unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

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a stimulus that produces a response without prior learning.

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unconditioned response (UCR)

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an unlearned response that is automatically elicited by an unconditioned stimulus.

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conditioned stimulus (CS)

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a previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits the conditioned response after being associated with the unconditioned stimulus

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conditioned response (CR)

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the learned response to the conditioned stimulus that occurs after the pairing of a conditioned stimulus

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acquisition (classical conditioning)

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the initial learning of the stimulus-response link, which involves a neutral stimulus and becoming the conditioned stimulus that elicits the conditioned response.

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generalization (classical conditioning)

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the tendency of a new stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus to elicit a response that is similar to the conditioned response

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discrimination (classical conditioning)

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the process of learning to respond to certain stimuli and not to others

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extinction (classical conditioning)

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the weakening of the conditioned response in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus.

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spontaneous recovery

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the process in classical conditioning by which a conditioned response can recur after a time delay without further conditioning

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counterconditioning

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a classical conditioning procedure for weakening a conditioned response procedure for weakening a conditioned response by associating the fear-provoking stimulus with a new response that is incompatible with the fear

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operant conditioning

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also called instrumental conditioning; a form of associative learning in which the consequence of a behavior change the probability of the behavior's occurance.

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law of effect

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Thorndike's principal that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened, whereas behaviors followed by negative outcomes are weakened

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shaping

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rewarding approximations of a desired behavior

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reinforcement

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the process by which a stimulus or an event strengthens or increases the probability of a behavior or an event that it follows.

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positive reinforcement

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following a behavior with a rewarding stimulus to increase the frequency of the behavior

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negative reinforcement

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following a behavior with the removal of an aversive (unpleasent) stimulus to increase the frequency of the behavior

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primary reinforcement

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the use of reinforcers that are innately satisfying

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secondary reinforcement

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the use of reinforcers that are learned or conditioned.

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schedules of reinforcement

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timetables that determine when a behavior will be reinforced

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generalization (operant conditioning)

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the tendency to give the same response to similar stimuli

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discrimination (operant conditioning)

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the tendency to respond to stimuli that signal that a behavior will or will not be reinforced

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extinction (operant conditioning)

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the situation where, because previously reinforced behavior is no longer reinforced, there is a decreased tendency to perform that behavior.

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punishment

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a consequence that decreases the likelihood a behavior will occur.

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positive punishment

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a behavior decreases when it is followed by an unpleasent stimulus.

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negative punishment

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a behavior decreases when a positive stimulus is removed from it.

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latent learning (implicit learning)

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unreinforced learning that is not immediately reflected in behavior

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insight learning

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a form of problem solving in which the organism develops a sudden insight into or understanding of the problem's solution

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instinctive drift

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the tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behavior that interferes with learning.

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preparedness

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the species-specific biological predisposition to learn in certain ways but not others.

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learned helplessness

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the phenomenon of learning through experience that outcomes are not controllable.

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applied behavior analysis (behavior modification)

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the application of operant conditioning principals to change human behavior.