AP Psych: Learning Terms

a relatively permanent change in an organism's behavior due to experience

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 conditioning)

the view that psychology 1) should be an objective science that 2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with 1) but not with 2).

a type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neutral stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus.

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

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

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

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

the initial stage in classical conditioning; the phase associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response

the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced

the reappearance, after a rest period, of an extinguished conditioned response

the tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses

in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguished between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus

a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by reinforcement or diminished if followed by punishment

behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus; Skinner's term for behavior learned through classical conditioning

behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences

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

a chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animal's rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximation of a desired goal

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

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need

a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

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

in operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

in operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

in operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed.

in operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals

an event that decreases the behavior that it follows

a mental representation of the layout of one's environment. For example, after exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it.

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

the effect of promising a reward for doing what one already likes to do. The person may now see the reward, rather than intrinsic interest, as the motivation for performing the task.

learning by observing others

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior.