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Nason Ch 8
Learning Vocab
Vocab Word | Definition |
---|---|
Learning | a relatively permanent change in an organism's behavior due to experience |
Associative Learning | 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 learning) |
Classical Conditioning | a type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neutral stimulus signals an unconditioned stimulus begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus. AKA Pavlovian or respondant conditioning |
Behaviorism | 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) |
Unconditioned Response | in classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occuring response to the unconditioned stimulus, such as salivation when food is in the mouth |
Unconditioned Stimulus | in classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally triggers a response |
Conditioned Response | in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus |
Conditioned Stimulus | in classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response |
Acquisition | the inital stage in classical conditioning, the phase associating a neural stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus with an uncondtioned simulus so that the neural stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response |
Extinction | the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced |
Spontaneous Recovery | the reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response |
Generalization | the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned response to elicit similar responses |
Discrimination | in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned response |
Operant Conditioning | a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher |
Respondant Behavior | behavior that occurs as an automatic response to a stimulus; Skinner's term for behavior learned through classical conditioning |
Operant Behavior | behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences |
Law of Effect | Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely |
Operant Chamber | a chamber known as "Skinner's Box", containing a bar or a key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attatched devices to record the animal's rate of bar pressing or key pecking |
Shaping | an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior |
Reinforcer | in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows |
Positive Reinforcement | increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food; any stimulus that, when presented after the response, strengthens it |
Negative Reinforcement | increasing behaviors by stoppping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock; any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens it |
Primary Reinforcer | an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisifies a biological need |
Conditioned Reinforcer | a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as secondary reinforcer |
Continuous Reinforcement | reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs |
Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement | reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition, but much greater resistance to extiction than continuous reinforcement |
Fixed-Ratio Schedule | in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after so many responses |
Variable-Ratio Schedule | in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of response |
Fixed-Interval Schedule | in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals |
Punishment | an event that decreases the behavior it follows |
Cognitive Map | a mental representation of the layout of one's environment |
Latent Learning | learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it |
Intrinsic Motivation | a desire to perform a behavior for its own sake |
Extrinsic Motivation | a desire to perfom a behavior due to promised rewards or threats of punishment |
Observational Learning | learning by observing others |
Modeling | the process of observing an imitating a specific behavior |
Mirror Neurons | frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain's mirroring of another's actions may enable imitation, language, learning, and empathy |
Prosocial Behavior | positive, constructive, helpful behavior; opposite of antisocial behavior |