Learning and Conditioning Flashcards

A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus, eventually eliciting a conditioned response on its own.

Ivan Pavlov, who showed that dogs could learn to salivate to a bell after it was repeatedly paired with food.

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning (e.g., food causing salivation).

A previously neutral stimulus that, after pairing with the US, comes to trigger a conditioned response.

The initial stage when the CS and US are paired repeatedly and the organism begins to show a conditioned response.

The gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response when the CS is presented repeatedly without the US.

The reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after a rest period, usually weaker than the original response.

The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus. Example: Little Albert fearing all white furry objects, not just the rat.

The learned ability to distinguish between the conditioned stimulus and similar stimuli, responding only to the CS.

A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened or weakened by its consequences (reinforcement or punishment).

Positive reinforcement adds a desirable stimulus to increase behavior; negative reinforcement removes an aversive stimulus to increase behavior.

Positive punishment adds an aversive stimulus to decrease behavior; negative punishment removes a desirable stimulus to decrease behavior.

Reinforcement is delivered after a set number of responses. Produces high, steady response rates with brief pauses after reinforcement.

Reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable number of responses. Produces the highest, most consistent response rate (e.g., slot machines).

Reinforcement is delivered for the first response after a fixed time period. Produces a scalloped response pattern with increasing activity near the end of the interval.

Reinforcement is delivered for the first response after varying time periods. Produces slow, steady responding (e.g., checking email).

An operant conditioning procedure in which successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced until the full target behavior is achieved.

That children learn aggressive behaviors through observational learning (modeling) by watching adults, even without direct reinforcement.

Learning that occurs without reinforcement and is not demonstrated until an incentive is provided. Demonstrated by Tolman's rats forming cognitive maps.

A condition in which repeated exposure to inescapable aversive events leads an organism to stop trying to avoid them, even when escape becomes possible. Studied by Seligman.