Chapter 7: Learning Flashcards
Learning
The process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information and behaviors
Associative LEarning
Learning that certain events occur together. The events may be a stimuli (as in CC) or a response and its consequences (as in operant conditioning)
Stimulus
Any event or situation that evokes a response
Classical Conditioning
A type of learning in which one learns to link 2 or more stimuli in anticipation of events
Unconditioned Response (UR)
In CC, an unlearned, naturally occurring response, such as salivation,to an unconditioned stimulus (US) such as food in the mouth
Unconditioned Stimulus (US)
In CC, a stimulus that unconditionally-naturally and reflexively- triggers a response (UR)
Conditioned Response (CR)
In CC, a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS)
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
In CC, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US) comes to trigger a conditioned response (CR)
Acquisition
In Cc, the initial stage, when one links a NS and a US so that the US begins triggering the UR. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response
Extinction
Diminishing of a CR; occurs in CC when an US does not follow a CS; operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced
Spontaneous Recovery
Reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response
Generalization
The tendency, after a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned to stimuli to elicit a similar response
Discrimination
In CC, the learned ability to distinguish between a CS and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned response
Operant Conditioning
A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcement or diminished 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 a punisher become less likely
Operant Chamber
In OC research, a chamber…containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food/water reinforcer; attached devices record an animal;s rate of bar pressing or key pecking
Shaping
An operant conditioning process in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior
Primary Reinforcer
An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need (Food, water, heat, etc.)
Continuous Reinforcer
A stimulus that gains its power through association with a primary/secondary reinforcer
Partial Reinforcement
Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition, but much greater resistance to extinction
Fixed-Ratio Schedule
In OC, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
Variable-Ratio Schedule
In OC, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses
Fixed-Interval Ratio Schedule
In OC, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
Variable-Interval Ratio Schedule
In OC, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
