associative learning
learning that certain events occur together.
classical, operant
____________ and ____________ conditioning are both forms of associative learning.
conditioning
__________________ is the process of learning associations.
classical conditioning
cause and effect; the association of two stimuli that can be used to anticipate events
operant conditioning
reward and punishment; the association of a response (our behavior) and its consequence and thus to repeat acts followed by good results (reward) and avoid acts followed by bad results (punishment).
observational learning
process of learning from the experience of others
language
Through _____________, we learn things we have neither experienced nor observed.
Pavlov
_______________'s work laid the groundwork for John B. Watson's ideas about classical conditioning. Think about Little Albert.
Pavlov, Watson
These two researchers of classical conditioning ruled cognition out of the learning process; it was believed human beings could be simplified down to classically conditioned machines.
unconditioned response
In classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus.
conditioned stimulus
In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response.
unconditioned stimulus
In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally--naturally and automatically--triggers a response.
conditioned response
In classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.
acquisition
Also known as initial learning; the initial stage in which classical conditioning (the linking of stimuli) is taking place.
false
True of False: Conditioning can occur when the CS follows the US.
prepare
Classical conditioning is adaptive because it helps organism _________ for good or bad events.
higher-order conditioning
A procedure in which the conditioned stimulus in one conditioning experience is paired with a new neutral stimulus, creating a second (often weaker) conditioned stimulus.
true
True or False: Classically conditioned associations are stronger when an individual is consciously aware of the associations they have learned.
extinction
The diminished responding that occurs when the CS no longer signals an impending US.
spontaneous recovery
The reappearance of a (weakened) CR after a pause.
stimulus generalization
The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the CS
discrimination
The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other irrelevant stimuli.
adaptive
Generalization and discrimination are both _____________.
cognitive processes, biological constraints
Unknown to Pavlov and Watson, _________ and _________ affect the ability of an organism to become classically conditioned.
respondent behavior
behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus (classical)
operant behavior
behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences
shaping
an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior
law of effect
Rewarded behavior is likely to recur.
false
True or False: Negative reinforcement and punishment are synonyms.
negative reinforcement
Identify reinforcement form: When a torturer alleviates the pain of the person he's torturing in return for giving up desired information.
positive reinforcement
Identify reinforcement form: A child is given 10$ for every B he receives on his report card, and 20$ for every A he receives on his report card.
punishment
Identify reinforcement form: A child is spanked after disobeying his parents' wishes, teaching him that his previous behavior wins him a spanking.
true
True or False: Reinforcement is any consequence that strengthens behavior.
primary reinforcer
Food, sex or sleep
conditioned reinforcer
Also known as a secondary reinforcer
conditioned reinforcer
money, good grades
continuous reinforcement
reinforcement of the desired response every time it occurs
intermittent reinforcement
reinforcement occurs after the desired behavior sometimes, but not after every occurrence of the desired behavior; gambling addiction can be attributed to this.
fixed-ratio reinforcement
reinforcement of behavior after a set number of responses; a mother allows the child to eat dessert after eating 8 green beans.
variable-ratio reinforcement
reinforcement that occurs after an unpredictable number of responses; intermittent reinforcement responsible for gambling addiction.
fixed-interval reinforcement
reinforcement that occurs after a fixed period of timed; this is less effective, despite being the reinforcement method used in the blue collar work force (one paycheck at the end of the month).
variable-interval reinforcement
reinforcement that occurs after varying time intervals; when a child performs well consistently in school, sometimes the parents will spontaneously shower the child with ice cream as a reward.
true
True or False: Cognitive processes and biological constraints do indeed affect both classical and operant conditioning.
cognitive map
mental representation of surroundings that allows for increased navigation abilities.
latent learning
learning the becomes apparent only after there is some incentive to demonstrate it.
intrinsic motivation
the desire to perform a behavior effectively and for its own sake.
extrinsic motivation
the desire to perform a behavior for the sake of receiving external rewards OR to avoid punishment.
instinctive drift
the tendency of animals to shy away from learned behaviors and revert back to their biologically disposed patterns.
modeling
learning a specific behavior by observing and imitating models.
mirror neurons
neurons that fire upon observing someone else partaking of a particular behavior, and SEEMINGLY the same neurons that fire when the individual in question performs the behavior.
theory of mind
the theory that mirror neurons give rise to a child's empathy and to their ability to infer another's mental state.
prosocial behavior
positive, constructive and helpful behavior. Opposite of antisocial behavior.