Learning Vocabulary

Albert Bandura

Pioneering researcher of observational learning. (Ex: Bobo doll experiment).

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of the layout of one's environment. (Ex: After exploring a maze, rats act as if they have learned a cognitive map of it).

Observational Learning

Also called social learning, because we learn by observing and imitating others. (Ex: a child who sees his sister Ruben her finger on a hot stove learns not to touch it).

B.F. Skinner

Best know for developing operant conditioning. (Ex: pigeons).

Intrinsic Motivation

Desire to preform s behavior effectively and for its own sake. (Ex: Wanting to learn something when nothing is at stake).

Edward Thorndike

Developed operant conditioning with behaviorism. (Ex: cat experiment).

John Watson

Urged his colleagues to discard reference to inner thoughts, feelings, and motives. The science of psychology should instead study how organisms respond to stimuli in their environments. He developed behaviorism. (Ex: Little Albert experiment).

Extrinsic Motivation

The desire to behave in ferris a ways to receive external reward or avoid threatened punishment. (Ex: pressure to finish something before a deadline).

Ivan Pavlov

(1849-1936) He explored classical conditioning. (Ex: Pavlov's dogs).

Shaping

A procedure in which reinforcers, such as food, gradually guide and animal's actions toward a desired behavior (ex: training a dog).

Biofeedback

A system of recording, amplifying, and feeding back information about subtle physiological responses. (Ex: bp or muscle tension).

Classical Conditioning

A type of learning in which one learns to link two or more stimuli and anticipate events (ex: Pavlov's dogs).

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning where organism s learn associations between their behavior and resulting events. (ex: Little Albert).

Habituation

Decreased response to a stimulus after many presentations. (Ex: a bell may startle you the first few times and eventually not bother you).

Acquisition

In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response (ex: Pavlov's dogs: when the tuning fork evokes a response)

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs but is not apparent u till there is an incentive to demonstrate it. (Ex: children learning from parent but not demonstrating the behavior until later in life).

Mirror Neurons

Neuron who's activity provides a neural basis for imitation and observational learning. (Ex: These neurons are fired when someone grasps, holds, or tears something).

Learned Helplessness

The hopelessness and passive resignation an animal or human learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events (ex: golden retriever that gets electrocuted by the floor).