AP Psychology Learning Concepts

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Questions and Answers

Define learning.

A lasting change in behavior or mental processes as the result of an experience.

Which of the following best distinguishes between classical and operant conditioning?

Classical conditioning involves learning by watching others.

Classical conditioning uses cognitive maps, operant conditioning does not.

Classical conditioning is involuntary and associative, operant conditioning is voluntary and involves rewards or punishments. (correct)

Classical conditioning is voluntary, operant conditioning is involuntary.

Who is the major researcher involved in latent learning?

Edward Tolman.

What is latent learning?

Learning that occurs in the absence of rewards. Signup and view all the answers

What are cognitive maps?

Internal representations of the physical characteristics of the external environment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of classical conditioning?

Pavlov's dogs salivating at the sound of a bell. Signup and view all the answers

When is classical conditioning most efficient?

When the conditioned stimulus immediately precedes the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What do contemporary interpretations of classical conditioning take into account?

Cognitive processes like expectancy. Signup and view all the answers

What role do biological processes play in classical conditioning?

Certain species are biologically predisposed to learn particular associations that enhance their survival. Signup and view all the answers

What is higher-order conditioning?

When a conditioned stimulus from one learning trial is paired with a new unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a _____ delay.

time Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus generalization?

When stimuli similar to the original stimulus also elicit the conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus discrimination?

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

What occurs during extinction in classical conditioning?

The conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of extinction in classical conditioning.

Presenting the ringing bell without the food. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Definitions and Concepts

Learning is defined as a lasting change in behavior or mental processes resulting from experience.
Classical conditioning involves involuntary responses that are associated with stimuli.
Operant conditioning involves voluntary behavior that is influenced by rewards or punishments.
Social learning (observational learning) occurs when individuals learn by watching others.

Latent Learning and Cognitive Maps

Edward Tolman conducted experiments with rats in mazes to illustrate latent learning.
Latent learning occurs without rewards, demonstrating the ability to learn and retain information passively.
Cognitive maps refer to internal mental representations of one's physical environment, which help in navigation.

Classical Conditioning Principles

Classical conditioning was pioneered by Ivan Pavlov, who observed dogs salivating before food was presented.
Neutral Stimulus (NS) is any stimulus that does not evoke a conditioned response before learning (e.g., a ringing bell).
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) naturally elicits a response without prior learning, such as food causing salivation (UCR).
Conditioned Stimulus (CS) is a previously neutral stimulus that, after repeated pairing with the UCS, elicits a conditioned response.
Conditioned Response (CR) is the learned response to the conditioned stimulus (e.g., salivating at the sound of a bell).

Efficiency of Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning is most effective when the conditioned stimulus precedes the unconditioned stimulus closely in time.

Cognitive Processes in Classical Conditioning

Contemporary interpretations of classical conditioning consider cognitive factors, like expectancy and awareness of relationships between stimuli.

Biological Influences on Learning

Some species are biologically predisposed to form certain associations that aid in survival, such as developing taste aversion.

Higher-Order Conditioning

Higher-order conditioning occurs when a previously conditioned stimulus is associated with a new unconditioned stimulus, leading to a new conditioned response.

Key Behavioral Concepts

Spontaneous Recovery is the reoccurrence of an extinguished conditioned response after a time lapse.
Stimulus Generalization refers to the tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to evoke the conditioned response.
Stimulus Discrimination involves differentiating between similar stimuli, leading to distinct responses.
Extinction happens when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus, weakening the conditioned behavior.
Shaping is the process of reinforcing successive approximations to a desired behavior.
Habituation is a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

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Description

Test your understanding of key learning concepts in AP Psychology, including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theories. This quiz offers a comprehensive overview of how learning alters behavior and mental processes through various methods.