Classical conditioning
a type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events
stimulus
something that causes a response
response
reaction to a stimulus
unconditional stimulus
a stimulus that automatically elicits a response
unconditional response
a automatic response to a particular natural stimulus
conditioned stimulus
a previously neutral stimulus that has been associated with a natural stimulus
conditioned response
a response to a stimulus that is brought about by learning
stimulus generalization
process in which a response spreads from one specific stimulus to other simuli that resemble the original
extinction
the gradual loss of an association over time
spontaneous recovery
the sudden reappearance of an extinguished response
operant conditioning
conditioning that results from the individual's actions and the consequences they cause
reinforcement
something that follows a response and strengthens the tendency to repeat that response
primary reinforcement
something necessary for psychological or physical survival that is used as a reward
secondary reinforcement
anything that comes to represent a primary reinforcement
positive reinforcement
increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.
negative reinforcement
increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.)
punishment
an event that decreases the behavior that it follows
generalization
a behavior that spreads from one situation to a similar one
discrimination learning
learning to tell the difference between one event or object and another; the reverse of generalization
shaping
the process of gradually refining a response by successively reinforcing closer approximations of it
chaining
reinforcing the connecetion between the parts of sequence
continous reinforcement
reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.
schedules of reinforcement
different methods of reinforcing
partial reinforcement schedule
reinforcement not given each time an act is performed
variable ratio schedule
schedule in which reinforcement occurs after a desired act is performed a specificbut variable number of times
fixed ratio schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
variable interval schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
fixed interval schedule
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
social learning
a theory that suggests we learn social behaviors by watching and imitating others
observational learning
learning by observing others
cognitive approach
According to this approach, behavior is a result of information processing, such as perception, memory, thought, judgment, and decision making`
latent learning
learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it
expectancies
beliefs about our ability to perform an action and to get the desired reward
reinforcement value
the preference for certain types of reinforcement over other types
cognitive map
a mental image of where one is located in space
strategies
methods for solving problems
