AP Psychology Unit 6 Vocab

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Questions and Answers

What is learning?

A simple reflex action

A temporary change in behavior

A process without any influence from experience

A relatively permanent change in behavior due to experience (correct)

Define habituation.

An organism's decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it.

What is associative learning?

Learning that certain events occur together.

What type of learning involves linking two or more stimuli?

Classical conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is behaviorism?

The view that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the unconditioned response (UR)?

An unlearned, naturally occurring reaction to the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What does conditioned response (CR) refer to?

The learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Define unconditioned stimulus (US).

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers an involuntary response. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned stimulus (CS)?

An originally irrelevant stimulus that comes to trigger a conditioned response after association. Signup and view all the answers

What is acquisition in classical conditioning?

The initial stage when a neutral stimulus links with an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Define higher-order conditioning.

A procedure where a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What does extinction mean in classical conditioning?

The diminishing of a conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a pause. Signup and view all the answers

What is generalization in classical conditioning?

The tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses. Signup and view all the answers

Define discrimination in classical conditioning.

The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and unrelated stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is respondent behavior?

Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is operant conditioning?

A type of learning where behavior is strengthened by reinforcers or diminished by punishers. Signup and view all the answers

What is learned helplessness?

The hopelessness and passive resignation learned when an individual cannot avoid repeated aversive events. Signup and view all the answers

Define operant behavior.

Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What does the law of effect state?

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely. Signup and view all the answers

What is an operant chamber?

A chamber used in operant conditioning research to study animal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is shaping in operant conditioning?

An operant conditioning procedure where reinforcers guide behavior toward desired outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a discriminative stimulus?

A stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Define reinforcer.

Any event that strengthens the behavior it follows. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive reinforcement?

Increasing behaviors by presenting pleasant stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Concepts

Learning is a lasting change in behavior resulting from experience.
Habituation refers to a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.
Associative learning involves linking events, whether it's two stimuli or a response to its consequences.

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning links multiple stimuli and allows anticipation of events.
Unconditioned stimulus (US) triggers an automatic response, while the unconditioned response (UR) is the natural reaction to the US.
Conditioned stimulus (CS) is initially neutral but becomes associated with the US, leading to a conditioned response (CR).
Acquisition is the initial learning phase where a neutral stimulus and US are paired, leading to the CR.

Conditioning Processes

Higher-order conditioning involves pairing a neutral stimulus with a previously conditioned stimulus to create a second conditioned stimulus.
Extinction occurs when the US no longer follows the CS, weakening the conditioned response.
Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of an extinguished CR after a pause.

Generalization and Discrimination

Generalization is the tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus.
Discrimination is the learned ability to differentiate between the conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal a US.

Behavior Types

Respondent behavior is an automatic reaction to a stimulus.
Operant conditioning strengthens behaviors through reinforcement or weakens them via punishment.

Key Theories in Operant Conditioning

Learned helplessness is the state of passivity in animals or humans that occurs when they cannot escape aversive situations.
Operant behavior actively operates on the environment to produce effects.
The law of effect posits that favorable consequences increase behavior likelihood, while unfavorable consequences decrease it.

Research Tools and Techniques

The operant chamber (Skinner box) is a device used to measure the frequency of operant behaviors by providing reinforcers.
Shaping involves guiding behavior towards the desired outcome through successive approximations.
Discriminative stimuli signal the potential for reinforcement, prompting specific responses.

Reinforcement and Its Effects

A reinforcer is any event that enhances the behavior it follows.
Positive reinforcement boosts behaviors by presenting desirable outcomes.

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Test your knowledge with these flashcards for Unit 6 vocabulary in AP Psychology. This quiz covers key terms like learning, habituation, and associative learning, essential for understanding the principles of psychology. It's a great way to prepare for exams and reinforce your learning.