Learning Psychology

A learning process where a specific behavior is strengthened or weakened by the consequences that follow it.

A type of operant conditioning where a stimulus (like a reward) is presented after a desired behavior, making the behavior more likely to occur again.

A type of operant conditioning where a stimulus (like an unpleasant task) is removed after a desired behavior, making the behavior more likely to occur again.

A type of operant conditioning where a stimulus (like a punishment) is added after an undesired behavior, making the behavior less likely to occur again.

A type of operant conditioning where a stimulus (like a privilege) is removed after an undesired behavior, making the behavior less likely to occur again.

A procedure used to study operant conditioning in which an animal learns to perform a specific behavior to receive a reward, typically food.

Any stimulus that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Any stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

A technique used to teach a complex behavior by reinforcing successive approximations of the desired behavior.

A technique used to teach a complex sequence of behaviors by linking together individual behaviors.

A reinforcement schedule where a behavior is reinforced every time it occurs.

A reinforcement schedule where a behavior is reinforced only sometimes, creating greater resistance to extinction.

A type of partial reinforcement schedule where reinforcement depends on the number of responses.

A type of partial reinforcement schedule where reinforcement depends on the amount of time that has passed.

A learning process where a previously neutral stimulus (like a white rat) becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus (loud noise), which elicits a fear response. This association leads to a conditioned response (fear) to the previously neutral stimulus.

A study where a baby (Albert) was conditioned to fear a white rat by pairing the rat with a loud noise. The experiment demonstrated how phobias could be learned.

A type of classical conditioning that aims to replace a positive response to a harmful stimulus with a negative response. This is done by pairing the undesired behavior with an unpleasant stimulus.

A form of aversive conditioning where individuals with alcoholism are given appealing drinks laced with a drug that induces nausea. The goal is to associate the taste and smell of alcohol with unpleasant feelings, reducing cravings and drinking behavior.

A condition where a previously neutral stimulus (like a white rat) evokes a learned fear response. This fear response is conditioned due to the pairing of the neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus (like a loud noise).

A form of aversive conditioning where a person develops a strong dislike or aversion to a particular food after experiencing a negative reaction (like nausea or sickness) after consuming it.

A study that analyzed the effectiveness of aversive conditioning for treating alcoholism. The research showed that while aversion therapy initially helps, long-term effectiveness is limited.

This theory proposes that we learn by watching and copying others, especially those we admire or perceive as similar to ourselves.

In a study, children exhibited aggressive behavior towards a doll after watching an adult model act aggressively towards it.

Occurs when a behavior is learned without any immediate reinforcement, but becomes evident only when there is a reward for demonstrating it.

In a study by Tolman, rats learned the layout of a maze without being rewarded, showing knowledge of the maze's structure.

A mental representation of the environment or space, allowing individuals to navigate and make predictions about it.

In Kohler's experiment, chimpanzees demonstrated problem-solving skills by creatively using tools to retrieve a banana that was out of reach.

This refers to the way children, in the Bobo Doll experiment, devised new and creative ways to harm the doll, beyond simply imitating the adult model.

This refers to the children in the Bobo Doll experiment using language that was hostile and aggressive towards the doll.

This is a type of learning that involves gaining knowledge or skills indirectly through exposure to information or observation, without direct reinforcement.

This refers to the increased attraction to guns that children in the Bobo Doll experiment exhibited after being exposed to an adult model who used guns in a violent manner.

A natural, automatic response to an unconditioned stimulus; e.g., salivating at the sight of food.

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without prior learning; e.g., the smell of food.

A previously neutral stimulus that, after repeated pairing with the UCS, comes to trigger a conditioned response; e.g., the sound of a bell.

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus (CS); e.g., salivating at the sound of a bell.

The process of gradually establishing a conditioned response by repeatedly pairing the CS with the UCS; e.g., repeatedly ringing a bell before presenting food.

The weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response when the CS is repeatedly presented without the UCS; e.g., ringing the bell without presenting food.

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a period of extinction; e.g., salivating to the bell after a period of silence.

The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the CS; e.g., salivating to a slightly different bell sound.

The ability to distinguish between the CS and other stimuli; e.g., only salivating to the specific bell sound and not to other sounds.

The process of conditioning a neutral stimulus (CS1) by repeatedly pairing it with another already-conditioned stimulus (CS2); e.g., pairing a light with the bell that already elicits salivation.

The original classical conditioning process where a neutral stimulus is associated with an unconditioned stimulus; e.g., pairing a bell with food to elicit salivation.

The study by John B. Watson that showed that fear could be conditioned in a human infant (Little Albert) by pairing a white rat (CS) with a loud noise (UCS).

An approach to psychology that emphasizes the study of observable behaviors and their environmental influences.

The use of learning principles to modify behaviors (including those that are considered problematic); e.g., using classical conditioning to reduce fear, anxiety, or phobias.