Conditioning Flashcards
Conditioning
A theory that the reaction (response) to an object or event (stimulus) by a person or animal can be modified by learning or conditioning
Classical conditioning
Involves learning a new behavior via the process of association.
Stimuli
Any feature of the environment that affects behavior
Response
The behavior brought about by the stimulus.
Unconditioned stimulus
A feature of the environment that causes a natural reflex action.
E.g. a puff of air blown into the eye causes an involuntary blink
Unconditioned response
Is behavior that occurs naturally due to a given stimulus. Responses that are completely natural and occur without an organism going through any prior learning.
Neutral stimulus
Initially produces no specific response other than focusing attention
Conditioned response
A stimulus prompts a conditioned response only when someone has come to associate that stimulus with another.
Conditioned stimulus
A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually comes to trigger a conditioned response.
Operant conditioning
Deals with intentional actions (rewards, punishment, reinforcement etch) that have an effect on the surrounding environment.
Reinforcement
Responses from the environment that increase the probability of a behavior being repeated
Positive reinforcement
Reward - Presenting the subject with something that it likes, in order to encourage repeat behavior
Negative reinforcement
Takin something away in order to encourage repeat behavior, e.g. removing or adding some aversive or painful stimulus
Punishment
Responses from the environment that decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Punishment weakens behavior
Positive punishment
Adding a stimulus that is likely to weaken or discourage behavior
Negative punishment
Taking away a stimulus that is likely to weaken or discourage behavior.
