AP PSYCH Chapter 8 Learning Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is the person associated with classical conditioning?

Pavlov

What is classical conditioning?

Associating two stimuli and anticipating events.

What is classical conditioning also known as?

S-R Psychology

In classical conditioning, an originally neutral stimulus becomes what?

Associated with a physiological or emotional response. Signup and view all the answers

What does an unconditioned stimulus elicit?

A natural (reflexive) response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response?

A natural (automatic) response. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a conditioned stimulus?

The previously irrelevant stimulus until the association was made. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response?

A learned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is the over-justification effect?

The effect of promising a reward for doing what one already likes to do, which may lessen original motivation. Signup and view all the answers

What idea did classical conditioning lay the basis for?

Watson's idea that behavior is made up of responses. Signup and view all the answers

What does adaptability refer to?

The capacity to learn new behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, how do we learn?

By association. Signup and view all the answers

What is associative learning?

Linking two events that occur close together. Signup and view all the answers

What is conditioning?

The process of learning by association. Signup and view all the answers

What is operant conditioning?

Learning that happens as a result of stimuli that either weaken or strengthen behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Classical responses are automatically elicited by what?

Stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What do operant behaviors produce?

Rewarding or punishing stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Law of Effect?

The principle that rewarded behavior is likely to reoccur, while unrewarded behavior is likely to become extinct. Signup and view all the answers

What does extinction refer to in classical conditioning?

Diminished response because the conditioned stimulus is no longer associated with the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of a weakened conditioned response after a rest pause. Signup and view all the answers

What is generalization in classical conditioning?

Expansion of the range of stimuli that produces the conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is discrimination in learning?

Learned ability to distinguish between similar stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is shaping?

Conditioning through a series of successive approximations. Signup and view all the answers

What are reinforcements?

Stimuli that increase the probability to repeat a behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive reinforcement?

A reward or pleasant stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative reinforcement?

Removal of an unpleasant stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What defines primary reinforcement?

Stimuli that are necessary and immediately rewarding. Signup and view all the answers

What is secondary reinforcement?

Rewarding stimuli that are less immediately satisfying and less tangible. Signup and view all the answers

What is the gradient of reinforcement?

Length of time between operant response and reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What is punishment?

Decreases behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive punishment?

An unpleasant stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative punishment?

Removal of a pleasant stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is latent learning?

Learning that becomes important only if there is an incentive to do it. Signup and view all the answers

What are biological predispositions?

Certain behaviors are associated naturally with certain outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Conditioning

Pavlov is the key figure in classical conditioning, which involves associating two stimuli to anticipate events.
Classical conditioning is also referred to as S-R (Stimulus-Response) Psychology.
In this process, a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a physiological or emotional response.
An unconditioned stimulus (e.g., food) elicits a natural response, termed the unconditioned response (e.g., salivation).
A conditioned stimulus is originally neutral until it gains significance through association, leading to a conditioned response.

Behavioral Learning Concepts

The over-justification effect occurs when extrinsic rewards diminish intrinsic motivation, potentially leading to cessation of the behavior if the reward is removed.
Classical conditioning provided a foundation for Watson’s belief that behavior consists of responses to stimuli.

Learning Theories

Adaptability refers to the ability to acquire new behaviors that help in responding to changing environments.
Aristotle emphasized learning through association, a concept crucial for survival, known as associative learning.
Conditioning is defined as learning by association, which encompasses both classical and operant conditioning.

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning involves learning driven by the consequences of behaviors, characterized by stimuli that reinforce or punish.
Thorndike's Law of Effect indicates that rewarded behaviors tend to recur, while those that are not rewarded are likely to diminish over time.

Key Concepts in Conditioning

Extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus loses its association with the unconditioned stimulus, leading to diminished responses.
Spontaneous recovery is the reemergence of an extinguished response after a break.
Generalization involves responding similarly to a range of stimuli, while discrimination is the ability to differentiate between similar stimuli.
Shaping is a process that uses successive approximations to teach new behaviors.

Reinforcement and Punishment

Reinforcements are stimuli that increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, and can be positive (pleasant rewards) or negative (removal of aversive stimuli).
Primary reinforcers satisfy basic needs (e.g., food), whereas secondary reinforcers are associated with primary ones but are less tangible (e.g., money).
The gradient of reinforcement refers to the time delay between a behavior and its reinforcement; shorter delays lead to better conditioning.

Understanding Punishments

Punishments serve to decrease undesirable behaviors through either positive (adding unpleasant consequences) or negative (removing pleasant consequences) means.

Learning Styles and Biological Factors

Latent learning represents knowledge that becomes relevant only when there is a reason to apply it.
Biological predispositions suggest that some behaviors are naturally aligned with specific outcomes, indicating an innate aspect of learning.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of classical conditioning with these flashcards from AP Psychology Chapter 8. Each card highlights key terms and definitions that are essential for understanding the learning process in psychology. Perfect for review or studying for exams!