Psyc 2301 Vocab - Ch 6

Chapter 6: Learning learning – a relatively permanent change in behavior or mental processes because of practice or experience classical conditioning – learning that occurs when a neutral stimulus (NS) becomes paired (associated) with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to elicit a conditioned response (CR) conditioning – the process of learning associations between environmental stimuli and behavioral responses unconditioned stimulus (UCS) – a stimulus that unconditionally, naturally, and automatically triggers a response unconditioned response (UCR) – an unlearned response that occurs naturally in response to an unconditioned stimulus neutral stimulus (NS) – a stimulus which initially produces no response conditioned stimulus (CS) – a previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually comes to trigger a conditioned response conditioned response (CR) – a learned response to the previously neutral stimulus conditioned emotional responses – likes, dislikes, prejudices, and fears acquired by conditioning stimulus generalization – occurs when an event similar to the originally conditioned stimulus triggers the same conditioned response stimulus discrimination – a learned response to a specific stimulus, but not to other similar stimuli extinction – occurs when the unconditioned stimulus is repeatedly withheld whenever the conditioned stimulus is presented, which gradually weakens the previous association spontaneous recovery – occurs when an extinguished response reappears reconditioning –phenomena in which conditioning occurs much faster the second time around after extinction higher-order conditioning - the use of previously conditioned stimuli to condition further responses, in much the same way as unconditioned stimuli are used operant conditioning – learning in which voluntary responses are controlled by their consequences (also known as instrumental or Skinnerian conditioning)

reinforcement – a consequence that strengthens a response and makes it more likely to recur punishment – a consequence that weakens a response and makes it less likely to recur law of effect – Thorndike’s rule that the probability of an action being repeated is strengthened when followed by a pleasant or satisfying consequence positive reinforcement - an increase in the future frequency of a behavior due to the addition of a stimulus immediately following a response negative reinforcement - is an increase in the future frequency of a behavior when the consequence is the removal of an unpleasant stimulus Premack principle - states that more probable behaviors will reinforce less probable behaviors schedules of reinforcement – the rate or interval at which responses are reinforced continuous reinforcement – response is reinforced ever time it occurs partial (or intermittent) schedule of reinforcement – reinforcing only some responses, not all fixed ratio (FR) – reinforcement occurs after a predetermined set of responses; the ratio (number or amount) is fixed variable ratio (VR) – reinforcement occurs unpredictably; the ratio (number or amount) varies fixed interval (FI) – reinforcement occurs after a predetermined time has elapsed; the interval (time) is fixed variable interval (VI) – reinforcement occurs unpredictably; the interval (time) varies shaping – reinforcement by a series of successively improved steps leading to a desired response positive punishment – the addition of a stimulus that decreases the likelihood of the response occurring again negative punishment – the removal of a stimulus that decreases the likelihood of the response occurring again cognitive-social theory – a perspective that emphasizes the roles of thinking and social learning in behavior insight – sudden understanding of a problem that implies the solution

insight learning – a type of learning that uses reason to solve a problem cognitive map – mental representation of a maze latent learning – hidden learning that exists without behavioral signs observational learning – learning new behavior or information by watching others (also known as social learning or modeling) taste aversion – classically conditioned, involuntary response that associates a food or drink with nausea or vomiting biological preparedness – built-in (innate) readiness to form associations between certain stimuli and responses instinctive drift – the tendency of some conditioned responses to shift (or drift) back toward innate response pattern biofeedback – internal bodily processes are electrically recorded and reported back to the patient, helping them gain control over process that are normally involuntary