Psychology FRQ Review Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of learning?

An innate response to a stimulus

The ability to memorize facts

The act of performing a task

The process of acquiring new and relatively enduring information or behaviors (correct)

What is habituation?

Decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation

What is associative learning?

Learning that certain events occur together

What is a stimulus?

Any event or situation that evokes a response Signup and view all the answers

What is cognitive learning?

The acquisition of mental information Signup and view all the answers

What is classical conditioning?

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is behaviorism?

The view that psychology should study behavior without reference to mental processes Signup and view all the answers

What is a neutral stimulus?

A stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned response?

The unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What is an unconditioned stimulus?

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

What is acquisition in classical conditioning?

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

What is higher-order conditioning?

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

What is extinction?

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

What is spontaneous recovery?

The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response Signup and view all the answers

What is generalization in learning?

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

What is discrimination in classical conditioning?

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

What is operant conditioning?

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

What is the law of effect?

Thorndike's principle that favorable consequences increase behavior likelihood Signup and view all the answers

What is an operant chamber?

A cage that allows an animal to manipulate a bar or key to receive a reinforcer Signup and view all the answers

What is reinforcement in operant conditioning?

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

What is shaping in operant conditioning?

A procedure where reinforcers guide behavior toward closer approximations of the desired behavior 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

What is positive reinforcement?

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers Signup and view all the answers

What is negative reinforcement?

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reinforcer?

An innately reinforcing stimulus Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Concepts

Learning is the process of acquiring new and enduring information or behaviors.
Habituation involves decreased responsiveness to repeated stimuli, demonstrated by infants losing interest in familiar visual stimuli.
Associative learning refers to linking certain events together, such as in classical and operant conditioning.

Key Terms in Conditioning

Stimulus is any event or situation that triggers a response.
Cognitive learning entails acquiring mental information through observation or language.
Classical conditioning allows individuals to learn associations between stimuli.

Types of Stimuli

Neutral stimuli elicit no response before conditioning begins.
Unconditioned response (UR) is an unlearned reaction to a natural stimulus.
Unconditioned stimulus (US) is a stimulus that automatically triggers a response.

Conditioning Processes

Acquisition is the initial stage in classical conditioning where a neutral stimulus begins to trigger a conditioned response.
Higher-order conditioning occurs when a conditioned stimulus is paired with a new neutral stimulus.
Extinction is the reduction or disappearance of a conditioned response when the US no longer follows the CS.

Behavioral Reactions

Spontaneous recovery is the reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a pause.
Generalization is the tendency to respond similarly to stimuli that resemble the conditioned stimulus.
Discrimination involves the ability to distinguish between the conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal a US.

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning strengthens or weakens behavior based on reinforcement or punishment.
The law of effect states behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to recur.
An operant chamber is a controlled environment used to study animal behavior with a mechanism for reinforcement.

Reinforcement

Reinforcement strengthens behavior; can be positive (adding a stimulus) or negative (removing a stimulus).
Shaping is a process where reinforcers guide behavior toward the desired action.
Discriminative stimuli signal availability of reinforcement, influencing response occurrences.

Types of Reinforcers

Positive reinforcement increases behaviors via positive stimuli.
Negative reinforcement enhances behaviors by eliminating negative factors.
Primary reinforcers are innate stimuli that satisfy basic needs, strengthening responses upon presentation.

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Description

Enhance your understanding of key psychological concepts with these flashcards. This quiz covers essential terms such as learning, habituation, and associative learning, providing definitions and examples to aid retention. Perfect for revision and test preparation in psychology.