Chapter 6 learning a day in the life

CS/CR

A previously neutral stimulus that, after repeated association with an unconditioned stimulus, elicits the response effected by the unconditioned stimulus itself. In classical conditioning, the conditioned response (CR) is the learned response (reflexive behavior) to a conditioned stimulus (CS). This response is almost identical to the Unconditioned Stimulus except that now the reflexive behavior occurs in response to a conditioned stimulus as opposed to an unconditioned stimulus.

learning

The psychology of learning is a theoretical science. Learning is a process that depends on experience and leads to long-term changes in behavior potential. Behavior potential designates the possible behavior of an individual, not actual behavior.

stimulus

a feature in the environment that is detected by an organism or that leads to a change in behavior

conditioned response

a learned response to a previously neutral stimulus

conditioned stimulus

a previously neutral stimulus that because of pairing with an unconditioned stimulus now causes a conditioned response

reinforcement

a stimulus or event that allows a response and increase the frequency of that response

trial

a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something. a person, thing, or situation that tests a person's endurance or forbearance.

counterconditioning

a therapy procedure based on classical conditioning that replaces a negative response to a stimulus with a positive response

schedule of reinforcement

a timetable for when and how often reinforcement for a particular behavior occurs

taste aversion

a type of classical conditioning I which a previously desirable or neutral food comes to be perceived as repugnant because it is associated with negative stimulation

partial reinforcement

a type of conditioned learning in which only some of the responses are reinforced

systematic desensitization

a type of counterconditioning used to treat phobias in which a pleasant relaxed state s associated with gradually increasing anxiety triggering stimulus

classical conditioning / pavlovian conditioning

a type of learning in which a neural stimulus comes to elicit an unconditioned response when that neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with a stimulus that normally causes an unconditioned response. A statue of Ivan Pavlov and one of his dogs. Classical conditioning (also Pavlovian or respondent conditioning) is a process of behavior modification made famous by Ivan Pavlov and his experiments conducted with dogs.

conditioning

a type of learning that involves stimulus response connections in which the response is conditional on the stimulus

flooding

based on principles of classical conditioning a fear reduction technique that involves exposing the individual to a harmless stimulus until fear responses to that stimulus are extinguished

unconditioned stimulus

in classical conditioning a stimulus that elicit an unlearned natural occurring response

unconditioned response

in classical conditioning an unlearned response

extinction

in classical conditioning the disappearance of a conditioned response when an unconditioned stimulus no longer follows a conditioned stimulus

shaping

in operant conditioning a procedure in which reinforcement guides behavior toward closer approximations of the desired goal

observational learning

learning by observing and imitating the behavior of others

operant conditioning

learning that is strengthened when behavior is followed by positive reinforcement

latent learning

learning that occurs but remains hidden until there is a need to use it

primary reinforcers

stimuli such as food or warmth that have reinforcement value without learning

secondary reinforcers

stimuli that increases the probability of a response because of their association with a primary reinforcer

generalization

the act or process of responding to a stimulus similar to but distinct from the conditioned stimulus. Also called response generalization. the act or process of making a different but similar response to the same stimulus.

acquisition

the learning or developing of a skill, habit, or quality.

spontaneous recovery

the reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response after some time has passed

continuous reinforcement

the reinforcement of a desired response every time it occurs

generalization

the tendency to response in the same way to stimuli that have similar characteristics

discrimination

1. in classical conditioning the ability to distinguish the conditioned stimulus from other stimuli that are similar. 2. unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice

cognitive maps

A cognitive map is a mental representation of the layout of one's environment. It seems that many animals, not just humans, are able to form a mental representation of an environment that they have been in or are currently in. For example, when a friend asks you for directions to your house, you are able to create an image in your mind of the roads, places to turn, landmarks, etc., along the way to your house from your friend's starting point. This representation is the cognitive map.

behavior modification

A type of behavioral therapy in which the principles of Operant Conditioning (reinforcement, punishments, etc.) are used to eliminate some type of unwanted, maladaptive, behavior. For example, a person may feel that they no longer want to smoke (the maladaptive behavior) and so the person is given a favorite piece of candy every time a cigarette is desired but refused. So, when the person wants a cigarette but does not have one, they get a piece of their favorite candy as a reward.

skinner box

An operant conditioning chamber also known as the Skinner box is a laboratory apparatus used in the experimental analysis of behavior to study animal behavior. The operant conditioning chamber was created by B. F. Skinner while he was a graduate student at Harvard University Masters in 1930 and doctorate in 1931.

punishment

In operant conditioning, reinforcers rewards and punishments are used to shape the behavior of animals, including humans, and the term is specifically used to mean a consequence that reduces a targeted behavior.

USC/UCR

In this stage, the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) produces an unconditioned response (UCR) in an organism. In basic terms this means that a stimulus in the environment has produced a behavior / response which is unlearned (i.e. unconditioned) and therefore is a natural response which has not been taught. These types of stimuli are called unconditioned stimuli (US or UCS) and they evoke unconditioned responses (UR or UCR), or responses that are completely natural and occur without an organism going through any prior learning. For example, if you smell a lemon, it might get a sour taste in your mouth and you may salivate. This may occur from the time you are born and can occur without you ever having tasted a lemon before. The salivation and sour taste would be unconditioned responses

pavlov

Ivan Pavlov is best known for his work describing the psychological phenomenon of Classical Conditioning. From his work studying digestion in dogs, he observed that the dogs would salivate at the mere sight of food

watson

John Watson is often called the Father of Behaviorism, which emphasizes objective and observable data such as people's behavior and reactions, as opposed to internal process that cannot be observed like mental states, or thought processes.

phobias

an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

response

an observable reaction to a stimulus

negative reinforcers

an unpleasant stimulus that increases the frequency of behavior when it is removed

positive reinforcers

encouraging stimuli that increases the frequency of a behavior when they are presented