Learning and Memory Unit 4 AP Psychology

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).

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

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.

In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus

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

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, 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 approximations of the desired behavior

increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

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.)

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; also known as secondary reinforcer.

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

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

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule 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

Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain's mirroring of another's action may enable imitation, language learning, and empathy.

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

the immediate, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system

a newer understanding of short-term memory that involves conscious, active processing of incoming auditory and visual-spatial information, and of information retrieved from long-term memory

the tendency for distributed study or practice to yield better long-term retention than is achieved through massed study or practice

a momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second

a momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds

An increase in a synapse's firing potential after brief, rapid stimulation.

Believed to be a neural basis for learning and memory.

retention independent of conscious recollection

memory of facts and experiences that one can consciously know and "declare"

a neural center located in the limbic system that helps process explicit memories for storage

the activation, often unconsciously, of particular associations in memory

attributing to the wrong source an event we have experienced, heard about, read about, or imagined. (Also called source misattribution.) Source amnesia, along with the misinformation effect, is at the heart of many false memories.

a mental image or best example of a category

a methodical, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem.

Contrasts with the usually speedier -- but also more error-prone -- use of heuristics

a simple thinking strategy that often allows us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently; usually speedier but also more error-prone than algorithms

a sudden and often novel realization of the solution to a problem

A tendency to search for information that confirms one's preconceptions

the inability to see a problem from a new perspective; an impediment to problem solving

a tendency to approach a problem in a particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past

the tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions; an impediment to problem solving

judging the likelihood of things in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes; may lead one to ignore other relevant information

estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory; if instances come readily to mind, we presume such events are common

the way an issue is posed; how an issue is framed can significantly affect decisions and judgments