AP Psychology Unit 5: Learning Flashcards

Key Concepts in Learning

• Learning: Permanent change in behavior due to experience.
• Adaptability: Ability to learn new behaviors to cope with challenges.
• Habituation: Decreased reaction to repeated stimuli; infants lose interest in familiar visual cues.

Types of Learning

• Associative Learning: Linking two events; includes classical and operant conditioning.
• Classical Conditioning: Learning by associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus; important figures include Ivan Pavlov.
• Operant Conditioning: Behavior is influenced by consequences; behaviors are strengthened by reinforcers or weakened by punishers.

Classical Conditioning Terminology

• Unconditioned Response (UR): Natural reaction to an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., salivating when food is in mouth).
• Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that naturally triggers a response.
• Conditioned Response (CR): Learned response to a formerly neutral stimulus that becomes conditioned.
• Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Previously neutral stimulus that, after association with a US, triggers a CR.
• Higher Order Conditioning: Pairing a new neutral stimulus with a conditioned stimulus to elicit the same response.

Conditioning Processes

• Acquisition: Initial stage where a neutral stimulus is associated with a US.
• Extinction: Diminishing of CR when US does not follow CS.
• Spontaneous Recovery: Reappearance of an extinguished response after a pause.
• Generalization: Similar stimuli elicit similar responses after conditioning.
• Discrimination: Ability to distinguish between CS and stimuli that do not signal a US.

Behaviorism & Observable Behavior

• Behaviorism: Psychological perspective focused on observable behaviors, excluding mental processes.
• Observable Behavior: Actions measured and seen, important for behaviorist studies.

Reinforcement and Punishment

• Reinforcer: Any event that strengthens a behavior it follows.
• Positive Reinforcement: Stimulus that strengthens behavior by presenting a positive outcome.
• Negative Reinforcement: Strengthening behavior by removing negative stimuli.
• Punishment: Event that decreases the likelihood of a behavior recurring.
• Positive Punishment: Adding an aversive consequence.
• Negative Punishment: Removing a desirable stimulus.

Schedules of Reinforcement

• Continuous Reinforcement: Reinforcing behavior every time it occurs.
• Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement: Reinforcing behavior only part of the time, leading to greater resistance to extinction.
• Fixed Ratio Schedule: Reinforcement after a specific number of responses.
• Variable Ratio Schedule: Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses.
• Fixed Interval Schedule: Reinforcement after a specified period.
• Variable Interval Schedule: Reinforcement at unpredictable time intervals.

Learning Theories and Influencers

• Social Learning Theory: Proposed by Albert Bandura; emphasizes learning through observation and imitation.
• Cognitive Map: Mental representation of spatial relationships, demonstrated through latent learning.
• Self-Efficacy: Belief in one's ability to succeed, essential for motivation and performance.

Important Figures in Learning Theory

• Ivan Pavlov: Discovered classical conditioning through dog experiments; contributed to behaviorism.
• B.F. Skinner: Developed operant conditioning; emphasized reinforcers in behavior modification.
• Edward Thorndike: Formulated the Law of Effect through cat puzzle box experiments; laid groundwork for operant conditioning.
• Albert Bandura: Innovated Social Learning Theory; emphasized observational learning and modeling behaviors.

Additional Concepts

• Learned Helplessness: Passive behavior resulting from repeated inability to avoid aversive stimuli.
• Modeling: Imitation of observed behaviors; foundational for learning social behaviors.
• Token Economy: Reward system reinforcing behavior through tokens, which can be exchanged for rewards.
• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation: Intrinsic motivation arises from internal satisfaction, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or consequences.

Other Learning Effects

• Overjustification Effect: External rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation.
• Aversive Conditioning: Associating unpleasant feelings with unwanted behaviors.
• Omission Training: Removing a positive stimulus to reduce undesirable behavior.

Learning Types and Mechanisms

• Insight Learning: Sudden understanding of a problem's solution; observed in primate studies.
• Instinctive Drift: Reversion to instinctual behaviors despite having learned new ones; emphasizes natural behaviors can override learned ones.
• Prosocial Behavior: Positive, constructive behaviors beneficial to others; opposite of antisocial behaviors.

This summary provides an overview of key concepts, terminology, and influential figures in the field of learning psychology.