Psychology Examples Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is habituation?

The inability to respond to a stimulus

An organism's decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure (correct)

A learning process where stimuli are linked

An organism's increasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure

What is the mere exposure effect?

The phenomenon where increased exposure to something leads to a greater likelihood of preference for it.

Define classical conditioning.

A type of learning where an individual learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events.

What is a neutral stimulus?

A stimulus that does not initially elicit any intrinsic response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned stimulus?

A stimulus that naturally triggers a response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response?

An automatic response triggered by an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What does acquisition refer to in classical conditioning?

The initial stage of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned stimulus?

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus, begins to trigger a conditioned response. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conditioned response?

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Define extinction in classical conditioning.

The process where the conditioned response weakens and eventually disappears when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a pause, following extinction. Signup and view all the answers

What does stimulus generalization mean?

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulus discrimination?

The ability to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other similar stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is chaining in learning?

A method of learning where complex behaviors are broken down into smaller steps, which are taught progressively. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive reinforcement?

Providing a reward to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative reinforcement?

The removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Signup and view all the answers

Define primary reinforcer.

A naturally occurring stimulus that reinforces behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a secondary reinforcer?

A stimulus that has acquired reinforcing properties through association with primary reinforcers. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Habituation

Decreasing response to a stimulus after repeated exposure.
Example: Flinching stops when repeatedly flashed with a flashlight.

Mere Exposure Effect

Increased familiarity with a stimulus leads to preference for it, even if initially disfavored.
Example: Preference for Ford Focus after seeing it frequently on television.

Classical Conditioning

Learning to associate two or more stimuli to anticipate an event.
Example: Linking a loud noise to a fire drill, resulting in an anticipatory response.

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that initially has no association before conditioning.
Example: The maroon light in the classical conditioning experiment.

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that elicits a natural response without prior learning.
Example: Heat lamp in classical conditioning experiment.

Unconditioned Response

The natural reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.
Example: Sweating in response to the heat lamp.

Acquisition

Initial learning phase where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to trigger a conditioned response.
Example: Associating the maroon light with sweating through repeated exposure.

Conditioned Stimulus

The originally neutral stimulus that, after conditioning, elicits a conditioned response.
Example: Maroon light becomes the conditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Response

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.
Example: Sweating as a response to the maroon light after conditioning.

Extinction

The process of diminishing the conditioned response by no longer pairing the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus.
Example: Breaking the association between the maroon light and sweating by not following the light with the heat lamp.

Spontaneous Recovery

The re-emergence of a previously extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest.
Example: Sweating and screaming upon hearing a bell after a long time without exposure.

Stimulus Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.
Example: Fear response to tones similar to the bell clanking, varying by similarity.

Stimulus Discrimination

The ability to differentiate between similar stimuli and respond only to the conditioned stimulus.
Example: Fear only triggered by the specific bell tone and not other similar sounds.

Chaining

Learning a complex behavior by linking simpler tasks in sequence.
Example: Learning to ride a bike through progressive steps, from mounting to balancing and finally riding.

Positive Reinforcement

Strengthening a behavior by providing a rewarding consequence.
Example: Receiving a dollar for successfully cleaning the bathroom.

Negative Reinforcement

Strengthening a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus.
Example: Ending the annoying sound of the fire alarm upon completing chores.

Primary Reinforcer

A naturally reinforcing stimulus that satisfies a basic need.
Example: Sleepiness reinforcing the behavior of lying in bed.

Secondary Reinforcer

A stimulus that becomes reinforcing through association with primary reinforcers.

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Description

Test your knowledge with this set of flashcards covering key terms in psychology, such as 'habituation' and the 'mere exposure effect.' Each card presents a term along with a clear definition and an example to enhance your understanding. Great for students preparing for exams or looking to brush up on their psychology knowledge.