AP Psych Unit 4 Flashcards

Learning and Conditioning

• Associative Learning: Involves learning that certain events occur together, either through stimuli or responses and consequences.
• Classical Conditioning: A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response; known for Pavlov's experiments.
• Operant Conditioning: A method of learning where behaviors are strengthened or diminished through reinforcers or punishers.
• Behaviorism: A psychological perspective advocating for the study of observable behavior without reference to mental processes.

Key Concepts in Classical Conditioning

• Unconditioned Response (UR): The natural reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.
• Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning.
• Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to a conditioned stimulus after conditioning has taken place.
• Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.

Classical Conditioning Processes

• Acquisition: The initial stage of learning where a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus.
• Extinction: The weakening of a conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is no longer presented with the conditioned stimulus.
• Spontaneous Recovery: The re-emergence of an extinguished conditioned response after a rest period.
• Generalization: The tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to evoke similar responses.
• Discrimination: The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Reinforcement and Punishment

• Reinforcer: Any event that strengthens the behavior it follows.
• Positive Reinforcement: Increases behavior by presenting a positive stimulus.
• Negative Reinforcement: Strengthens behavior by removing negative stimuli.
• Primary Reinforcer: An innately reinforcing stimulus satisfying a biological need.
• Conditioned Reinforcer: A stimulus that gains reinforcing power through association with primary reinforcers.

Schedules of Reinforcement

• Continuous Reinforcement: Reinforcing a desired response every time it occurs.
• Partial Reinforcement: Reinforcing a response only part of the time, leading to greater resistance to extinction.
• Fixed Ratio Schedule: Reinforces behavior after a specified number of responses.
• Variable Ratio Schedule: Reinforces behavior after an unpredictable number of responses.
• Fixed Interval Schedule: Reinforces behavior only after a specified time has elapsed.
• Variable Interval Schedule: Reinforces behavior at unpredictable time intervals.

Memory Concepts

• Memory: The persistence of learning over time through the storage and retrieval of information.
• Encoding: The process of converting information into a form that can be stored in memory.
• Storage: The retention of encoded information over time.
• Retrieval: The act of recalling or recognizing stored information.

Types of Memory

• Sensory Memory: The immediate and brief retention of sensory information.
• Short-Term Memory: Holds a limited amount of information temporarily.
• Long-Term Memory: A relatively permanent and limitless store of information.
• Working Memory: Involves active processing of incoming and retrieved information.

Memory Techniques

• Effortful Processing: Requires conscious attention to encode information.
• Rehearsal: The conscious repetition of information to encode it.
• Chunking: Organizing information into manageable units.
• Mnemonics: Memory aids that use vivid imagery and organizational devices.
• Spacing Effect: Distributing study sessions yields better long-term retention compared to massed practice.

Memory Retrieval and Interference

• Recall: Retrieving information learned earlier.
• Recognition: Identifying previously learned items.
• Relearning: Assessing how much time is saved when learning material again.
• Proactive Interference: When prior learning disrupts recall of new information.
• Retroactive Interference: When new learning disrupts recall of old information.

Special Memory Phenomena

• Déjà Vu: The sense of having experienced something before, triggered by current cues.
• Mood-Congruent Memory: Tendency to recall memories consistent with one's current mood.
• Misinformation Effect: Incorporating misleading information into memory of an event.
• Source Amnesia: Credit the wrong source for an event we have experienced or learned about.