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PSYC Ch.6
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| learning | The process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors. |
| associative learning | Learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequence (as in operant conditioning). |
| stimulus | Any event or situation that evokes a response |
| respondent behavior | Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus. |
| operant behavior | Behavior that operates on the environment, producing a consequence. |
| cognitive learning | The acquisition of mental information, whether by observing events, by watching others, or through language. |
| classical conditioning | A type of learning in which we link two or more stimuli and anticipate events. |
| neutral stimulus (NS) | In classical conditioning, a stimulus that evokes no response before conditioning. |
| unconditioned response (UR) | In classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response (such as salivation) to an unconditioned stimulus (US) (such as food in the mouth). |
| unconditioned stimulus (US) | In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally—naturally and automatically—triggers a response (UR). |
| conditioned response (CR) | In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS). |
| conditioned stimulus (CS) | In classical conditioning, an originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response (CR). |
| acquisition | In classical conditioning, the initial stage—when we link 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.) |
| extinction | In classical conditioning, the weakening of a conditioned response—when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus. (In operant conditioning, the weakening of a response when it is no longer reinforced.) |
| spontaneous recovery | The reappearance, after a pause, of a weakened conditioned response. |
| generalization | In classical conditioning, the tendency, after conditioning, to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus (CS). (In operant conditioning, when responses learned in one situation occur in other, similar situations.) |
| discrimination | In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and similar stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus. |
| operant conditioning | A type of learning in which a behavior becomes more probable if followed by a reinforcer or less probable if followed by a punisher. |
| 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 | In operant conditioning research, 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; attached devices record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking. |
| reinforcement | In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows. |
| shaping | An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior closer and closer toward a desired behavior. |
| positive reinforcement | Increasing behaviors by presenting a pleasurable stimulus, such as food. A positive reinforcer is anything that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response. |
| negative reinforcement | Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing an aversive stimulus, such as an electric shock. A negative reinforcer is anything that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: Negative reinforcement is not punishment.) |
| primary reinforcer | An event that is innately reinforcing, often by satisfying a biological need. |
| conditioned reinforcer | An event that gains its reinforcing power through its link with a primary reinforcer. (Also known as secondary reinforcer.) |
| reinforcement schedule | A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced. |
| continuous reinforcement | Reinforcing a 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 extinction than does continuous reinforcement. |
| fixed-ratio schedule | In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses. |
| variable-ratio schedule | In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses. |
| fixed-interval schedule | In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed. |
| variable-interval schedule | In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals. |
| positive punishment | An event that decreases a behavior by administering a negative stimulus. |
| negative punishment | An event that decreases a behavior by removing a rewarding stimulus. |
| behaviorism | The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2). |
| cognitive map | A mental image of the layout of one's environment. |
| latent learning | Learning that is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it. |
| observational learning | Learning by observing others. (Also called social learning.) |
| modeling | The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior. |
| mirror neurons | Neurons that some scientists believe fire when we perform certain actions and when we observe others performing those actions; a neural basis for imitation and observational learning. |
| prosocial behavior | Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior. |
| antisocial behavior | Negative, destructive, harmful behavior. The opposite of prosocial behavior. |
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PSYC