Psychology Learning and Conditioning

A previously neutral stimulus (NS) transforms into a conditioned stimulus (CS) after repeated pairings with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS). This means the NS now triggers a conditioned response (CR), similar to the unconditioned response (UCR).

The phase where a neutral stimulus (NS) is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to establish a conditioned response (CR).

If a conditioned stimulus (CS), like a light, is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) (food), the conditioned response (CR) weakens and eventually disappears.

After extinction, a conditioned response (CR) may reappear spontaneously if the conditioned stimulus (CS) is presented again after a rest period.

After extinction, the process of re-establishing the connection between the conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to create conditioning once again.

A relatively permanent change in behavior that results from experience.

A change in performance that does not necessarily indicate learning, even if it seems like progress.

A decrease in performance that does not necessarily indicate a lack of learning. It can be due to factors like fatigue or temporary conditions.

The naturally occurring stimulus that triggers a response automatically, without prior learning.

The natural response to an unconditioned stimulus.

A neutral stimulus that is repeatedly paired with the unconditioned stimulus, eventually becoming capable of triggering a response.

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus.

A type of learning where an individual observes and imitates the behavior of another individual (the model).

The stages involved in observational learning: paying attention, remembering the behavior, reproducing it, and being motivated to repeat it in the future.

A type of neuron that fires when an individual observes another individual performing an action, as if the observer were performing the action themselves.

A study by Albert Bandura demonstrating how children learn aggressive behavior by observing adult models.

Observational learning is particularly advantageous when trial and error could be harmful or inefficient, or when the model is rewarded for the behavior.

A stimulus that satisfies basic drives, such as hunger, thirst, or sleep. It's not learned, but rather innate.

A stimulus that becomes reinforcing through its association with a primary reinforcer. It gains its power from repeated pairings.

Adding something pleasant following a behavior, making it more likely to occur again. Think of receiving a reward for good work.

Removing something unpleasant following a behavior, making it more likely to occur again. Think of the relief of taking an aspirin for a headache.

Presenting an unpleasant stimulus following a behavior, making it less likely to occur again. Think of a child getting a timeout for misbehaving.

Reinforcement is given after each desired behavior. This is effective for new learning.

Reinforcement is given only sometimes after the desired behavior. This is effective for maintaining learned behaviors.

The time between reinforcements is fixed. Think of getting paid every two weeks.

A type of negative reinforcement in which an organism learns to avoid an unpleasant stimulus by responding with an escape behavior.

A type of negative reinforcement in which an organism learns to avoid an unpleasant stimulus by responding with a behavior that prevents its occurrence.

A state in which an organism learns to expect that its efforts have no effect on its environment, making it less likely to attempt to escape or avoid aversive stimuli.

A gradual process of reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior.

The process of learning that occurs even without immediate reinforcement, demonstrating that learning can be based on mental representations rather than solely on stimulus-response associations.

A mental representation of an environment or situation, which allows an organism to learn without direct reinforcement and anticipate future events.

A sudden and often insightful understanding of a problem or situation, leading to a creative solution.

The time needed to establish a new association in classical conditioning is significantly shorter compared to the initial acquisition phase.

The process of generalizing a conditioned response (CR) to stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus (CS).

The ability to differentiate between stimuli, where a conditioned response (CR) is only elicited by the specific conditioned stimulus (CS) and not by similar stimuli.

A process where a previously established conditioned stimulus (CS) is used as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to create a new association with a neutral stimulus. This leads to a second-order conditioned response.

The process of learning where behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on their consequences. Actions with positive outcomes are more likely to be repeated, while actions with negative outcomes are less likely to be repeated.

A type of instrumental conditioning where the delivery of a stimulus after a behavior increases the probability of that behavior being repeated. This stimulus can be positive or negative.

A behavioral research method using a controlled environment to study animal behavior. The animal (e.g., a pigeon) learns to associate a specific action with a particular outcome (e.g., pressing a button with receiving food).