AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

#5 Learning (AP Psychology) Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
5144120892Ivan PavlovContribution: developed the theory of "classical conditioning" while working with dogs Significance: Father of Classical Conditioning0
5144120893Classical ConditioningLearning that takes place when two or more stimuli are paired together UCS = UCR; NS + UCS = UCR; & CS = CR1
5144120894Unconditioned StimulusPart of Classical Conditioning It is the stimulus that triggers a natural reflexive response. Pavlov's Dogs: "Meat" Little Albert: "Loud noise"2
5144120895Conditioned StimulusPart of Classical Conditioning It initially has no effect but after conditioning, it triggers a natural reflexive response. Pavlov's Dogs: It was the "Bell" Little Albert: "White Mouse"3
5144120896ExtinctionClassical Conditioning: The disappearance of a behavior because CS no longer paired with the UCS Operant Conditioning: The disappearance of a behavior because it is no longer reinforced or punished4
5144120897Spontaneous RecoveryClassical Conditioning: When a previous CR returns after it has been extinguished Operant Conditioning: Occurs when a response begins again after extinction5
5144120898Stimulus GeneralizationClassical Conditioning: When the NS and the CS are different. (Example: Little Albert being afraid of any thing that is white and furry) Operant Conditioning: When a reinforced/punished behavior occurs in a setting/situation where it was NOT learned (Example: Not cursing at home or at school)6
5144120899Stimulus DiscriminationClassical Conditioning: When the NS and the CS are the same (Example: Little Albert being afraid of a white mouse) Operant Conditioning: When a reinforced/punished behavior occurs in a setting/situation where it was learned (Example: Cursing only at home because it is acceptable but not at school)7
5144120900Higher Order ConditioningWhen the first CS is paired with a second CS The second CS is presented briefly before the first CS8
5144120901Taste AversionsPsychologist: Garcia Defined: If you ingest an unusual food or drink and then become nauseous, you will probably develop an aversion to the food or drink. Significance: Violates the acquisition principles of classical conditioning9
5144120902Operant conditioningDefined: Learning is based on the association of one's behavior and its consequences. Consequences are reinforced or punished Example: You choose to break curfew based on the consequences10
5144120903Law of EffectPsychologist: Edward Thorndike Defined: if a behavior results in a satisfying consequence, it will likely be repeated whereas; if a behavior results in a unsatisfying consequence, it will NOT likely be repeated Example: If you complement your mother and she lets you stay out past curfew, you will complement her again11
5144120904B.F. SkinnerContributions: Invented the Operant chamber, aka his ________ box, to use in his research of animal learning. Significance: Father & Developer of Operant Conditioing12
5144120905Positive ReinforcementPart of Operant Conditioning Adding something to increase the likelihood of a behavior occuring again Example: Receiving $5 for every "A" in high school13
5144120906Negative ReinforcementPart of Operant Conditioning Increasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again by removing a negative stimuli Example: Taking aspirin to relieve a headache14
5144120907Positive PunishmentPart of Operant Conditioning Adding something to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again Example: Spanking and yelling15
5144120908Negative PunishmentPart of Operant Conditioning Removing something to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again Example: Grounding16
5144120909ShapingPart of Operant Conditioning Positively reinforcing closer and closer approximations of a desird behavior to teach a new behavior17
5144120910Primary ReinforcersReinforcers that are rewarding such as food, water, rest, whose natural properties are reinforcing.18
5144120911Secondary ReinforcersDefined: Reinforcers that are rewarding because we learned that are reinforcing. Example: praise, money, the chance to play video games.19
5144120912Fixed-Ratio ScheduleDefined: schedule of reinforcement after a set number of responses. Example: Being paid for every 10 pizzas made20
5144120913Variable-Ratio ScheduleDefined: schedule of reinforcement after a varying number of responses. Example: playing a slot machine21
5144120914Fixed-Interval ScheduleDefined: schedule of reinforcement after a fixed amount of time has passed Example: cramming for an exam22
5144120915Variable-Interval ScheduleDefined: schedule of reinforcement after varying amounts of time Example: pop (surprise) quizzes in class23
5144120916Instinctive DriftDefined: when animals revert to instinctive behaviors rather than the operantly conditioned behaviors Examples: Rats will not walk backward, chickens won't hit a ball and run to first base, and pigs won't put wooden dollars into a piggy bank24
5144120917Observational LearningDefined: learn by watching others Example: BoBo Doll Study25
5144120918Latent LearningDefined: Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it Example: Tolman's rats would only complete the maze if there was cheese for them at the end of the maze26
5144120919Insight LearningDefined: suddenly knowing the solution to the problem Example: When taking a test and the previous answer comes to you without effort27
5144120920Acquisition of Classical ConditioningFrequency: the more often the CS and the US are paired together Timing: the CS is presented a half a second before the US28
5144120921Biological PreparednessDefined: humans and animals have predisposed fears that help us survive Examples; Phobia of heights keeps us away from danger29
5144120922Unconditioned ResponsePart of Classical Conditioning It is the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the stimulus Pavlov's Dogs: It was the "Salivating to the Meat" Little Albert: "Screaming at the Loud Noise"30
5144120923Associative LearningDefined: learn by putting together two events Example: Expect to hear thunder after viewing lightening31
5144120924HabituationDefined: An organisms decreasing response to a stimulus with repeated exposure to it Example: Your parents yell at you a lot and eventually you tune out their yelling32
5144120925WatsonContribution: applies Classical Conditioning to Humans through the "Little Albert" Experiment Significance: Creates "Behaviorism" Theory33
5144120926ThorndikeContribution: studied cats in puzzle boxes and recorded their behaviors Significance: Creates "Law of Effect" theory34
5144120927BanduraContribution: Studied how children mimic others behaviors and repeat that same behavior Significance: Creates "Observational Learning" Theory35
5144120928GarciaContribution: Demonstrated the significance of biological processes in classical conditioning Significance: Creates "Taste Aversions" theory36
5144120929SeligmanContribution: Used dogs to demonstrates the significance of cognitive processes in classical conditioning Significance: Creates "Learned Helplessness" theory37
5144120930TolmanContribution: demonstrated the significance of cognitive processes in operant conditioning by studying rats in mazes Significance: Creates the "Latent Learning" theory38
5144120931BretlandsContribution: demonstrated the significance of biological/instinctive processes in operant conditioning by studying a variety of animals Significance: Creates the "Instinctive Drift" theory39
5144120932Pavlov's DogsFirst experiment that created and demonstrate the theory of classical conditioning40
5144120933Little AlbertFirst experiment to demonstrate how emotions can be classically conditioned in humans Provides a foundation for the "Behaviorism Theory"41
5144120934Conditioned ResponsePart of Classical Conditioning Occurs after conditioning when the conditioned stimulus (CS) triggers an innate response Pavlov's Dogs: It was the "Salivating to the Bell" Little Albert: "Screaming/Crying"42
5144120935Learned HelplessnessDefined: Exposure to inescapable and uncontrollable aversive (bad) events produces passive behavior Study: Seligman delivering shocks to dogs Example: If a student consistently fails math, they may start to give up or a sports team that consistently loses may start to belive they can't win43
5144120936Reliable SignalsDefined: A cognitive process in classical conditioning where the organism must decide if the NS accurately predicts the UCS Example: Pavlov's Dogs-the dogs had to think that the NS (bell) predicted the UCS (meat)44
5144120937Concerns regarding PunishmentIt does not teach the learner appropriate behavior and can also increase violent behavior in the learner45
5144120938Skinner BoxAlso known as: Operant Chamber Description: A chamber containing a bar or key that an animal (rat or pigeon) can manipulate in order to obtain a reward46
5144120939Immediate ReinforcerDefined: when you are immediately rewarded for a behavior (it's all about the short run) Example: skipping school and enjoying time with friends47
5144120940Superstitious BehaviorDefined: if a random reinforcement follows an event, the event will likely be repeated. Example: a lucky shirt, shoes, etc.48
5144120941Continuous Reinforcement ScheduleDefined: When every behavior is reinforced Example: a multiple choice test Significance: best for "establishing" a behavior49
5144120942Cognitive MapsDefined: having the ability or know how to accomplish a particular task Example: Tolman's rats knew how to complete the maze50
5144120943Intrinsic MotivationDefined: the desire to perform a behavior effectively and for its own sake—rewards can carry hidden costs. Example: reading books because you find them rewarding51
5144120944Extrinsic MotivationDefined: the desire to perform a behavior to receive external rewards or avoid threatened punishment. Example: reading a book because you need to get a good grade in your English class52
5144120945BoBo Doll StudyPsychologist: Bandura Description: Children watched (through a one way glass)a confederate play with the BoBo doll and then played with the BoBo doll in the same way as the confederate Significance: used to develop "observational learning"53
5144120946Mirror NeuronsDefined: frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so Example: explains why yawning is contagious54
5144120947DensensitizationDefined: after viewing a similar act/behavior, you become less emotionally responsive (indifferent or unaware) to the stimulus Example: The first murder on TV is shocking but becomes less shocking as you watch violent television55
5144120948Pro-Social ModelingDefined: People who show nonviolent, helpful behavior prompt similar behavior in others Significance: When parents help their grandparents, the children will likely do the same56
5144120949Anti-Social ModelingDefined: People show violent, selfish behavior prompts similar behaviors in others Significance: Watching violent TV prompts similar behaviors in others (pro-wrestling, etc.)57
5144120950BehaviorismPsychologist: John B. Watson Defined: a theory that made psychology an objective science by making it based on observable (and only observable) events, not the unconscious or conscious mind.58
5144120951Delayed ReinforcerDefined: when you complete a behavior but not awarded immediately (it's all about the long run) Example: getting good grades in school and attending class in order to get a good job in the future59
5144120952Partial Reinforcement ScheduleDefined: When a random behavior is reinforced Example: Fixed Ratio, Variable Ratio, Fixed Interval, Variable Interval Significance: best for "maintaining" a behavior60

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!