Glossary

Vocabulary and Definitions  CH. 8.1 Learning- a relatively permanent change in an organism's behavior due to experience. Associative learning- 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.) Classical conditioning- a type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neutral stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus. Also called Pavlonvian conditioning. Behavorism- view that psychology (1)should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to ental processes. Most research psychologists today agree with (1) but not with (2). Unconditioned response (UCR)- in classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occuring response to the unconditioned stimulus (UCS), such as salivation when food is in the mouth. Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)- inclassical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally- naturally and automatically- triggers a response. Conditioned response (CR)- in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously newtral conditioned stimulus (CS).

Conditioned stimulus (CS)- classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS), comes to trigger a conditioned response. Acquisition- the intial 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. Extinction- the diminishing of a conditioned response; occures in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occures in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced. Spontaneous recovery- the reappearance, after a rest period, of an extinguished conditioned response. Generalization- the tendencey, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses. Discrimination- <span style="color: #1501c1; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> in classical con diti oning, the learned ablility to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Ch. 8.2 Operant conditioning- subjects associate behaviors with consequences (reinforced)

Respondent behavior- behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus Operant behavior- the act operates on the environment to produce rewarding or punishing stimuli Law of Effect- Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, followed by punishment less likely Operant chamber- (Skinner box) a chamber 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. Shaping- reinforcers gradually guide an animal's actions toward desired behavior Successive approximations- reward responses that are ever-closer to the final desired behavior Rienforcement- any event that increases the frequency of a preceding response (positive or negitive)

Primary reinforcers- satisfies a biological need

Conditioned reinforcers- gains reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer (secondary reinforcer) Continuous reinforcement- reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Partial reinforcement- responses are SOMETIMES reinforced

Fixed-ratio- behavior after a set number of responses

Variable-ratio- reinforcers after an unpredicted number of responses

Fixed-interval- the first respose after a fixed time period

Variable-interval- frist response after varing time intervals

punishment- opposite to that of reinforcement; decreases behavior that it follows

cognitive map- mental representation of the layout of one's environment

Latent learning- learning that becomes apparent only when there is some incentive to demonstrate it Overjustification effect- promise a reward for doing what one already likes to do Intrinsic motivation- the desire to perform a behavior effectively and for its own sake

Extrinsic motivation- desire to perform a befavior due to promised a behavior due to promised rewards or threats of punishment

Ch.8.3 Observatonal learning- we observe and imitate others Modeling- process of observing and imitating a specific behavior Mirror neurons- (frontal lobe and motor cortex) mirroring anothers action may enable imitation, language learning, and empathy Prosocial behavior- (positive, helpful behavior) models can have prosocial effects