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

AP Psychology Learning Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
5609894959LearningRelatively permanent change in an organisms behavior due to experience0
5609894960Associative LearningDefined: learn by putting together two events Example: Expect to hear thunder after viewing lightening1
5609894961HabituationDefined: 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 yelling2
5609894962Pavlov, IvanContribution: developed the theory of "classical conditioning" while working with dogs Significance: Father of Classical Conditioning3
5609894963Watson, John BContribution: applies Classical Conditioning to Humans through the "Little Albert" Experiment Significance: Creates "Behaviorism" Theory4
5609894964BretlandsContribution: demonstrated the significance of biological/instinctive processes in operant conditioning by studying a variety of animals Significance: Creates the "Instinctive Drift" theory5
5609894965Skinner, B.F.Contributions: Invented the Operant chamber, aka his ________ box, to use in his research of animal learning. Significance: Father & Developer of Operant Conditioing6
5609894966Bandura, AlbertContribution: Studied how children mimic others behaviors and repeat that same behavior Significance: Creates "Observational Learning" Theory7
5609894967Thorndike, EdwardContribution: studied cats in puzzle boxes and recorded their behaviors Significance: Creates "Law of Effect" theory8
5609894968Garcia, JohnContribution: Demonstrated the significance of biological processes in classical conditioning Significance: Creates "Taste Aversions" theory9
5609894969Seligman, MartinContribution: Used dogs to demonstrates the significance of cognitive processes in classical conditioning Significance: Creates "Learned Helplessness" theory10
5609894970Tolman, EdwardContribution: demonstrated the significance of cognitive processes in operant conditioning by studying rats in mazes Significance: Creates the "Latent Learning" theory11
5609894971Pavlov's DogsFirst experiment that created and demonstrate the theory of classical conditioning12
5609894972Little AlbertFirst experiment to demonstrate how emotions can be classically conditioned in humans Provides a foundation for the "Behaviorism Theory"13
5609894973Classical ConditioningLearning that takes place when two or more stimuli are paired together UCS = UCR; NS + UCS = UCR; & CS = CR14
5609894974BehaviorismPsychologist: 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.15
5609894975Unconditioned StimulusPart of Classical Conditioning It is the stimulus that triggers a natural reflexive response. Pavlov's Dogs: "Meat" Little Albert: "Loud noise"16
5609894976Unconditioned 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"17
5609894977Conditioned 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"18
5609894978Conditioned 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"19
5609894979Neutral Stimulusdoes not caused an unconditioned response but eventually becomes the CS20
5609894980Acquisition 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 US21
5609894981ExtinctionClassical 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 punished22
5609894982Spontaneous RecoveryClassical Conditioning: When a previous CR returns after it has been extinguished Operant Conditioning: Occurs when a response begins again after extinction23
5609894983Stimulus 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)24
5609894984Stimulus 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)25
5609894985Higher Order ConditioningWhen the first CS is paired with a second CS The second CS is presented briefly before the first CS26
5609894986Taste 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 conditioning27
5609894987Learned 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 win28
5609894989Biological PreparednessDefined: humans and animals have predisposed fears that help us survive Examples; Phobia of heights keeps us away from danger29
5609894990Operant 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 consequences30
5609894991Law 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 again31
5609894992Skinner 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 reward32
5609894993Positive ReinforcementPart of Operant Conditioning Adding something to increase the likelihood of a behavior occuring again Example: Receiving $5 for every "A" in high school33
5609894994Negative ReinforcementPart of Operant Conditioning Increasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again by removing a negative stimuli Example: Taking aspirin to relieve a headache34
5609894995Primary ReinforcersReinforcers that are rewarding such as food, water, rest, whose natural properties are reinforcing.35
5609894996Secondary ReinforcersDefined: Reinforcers that are rewarding because we learned that are reinforcing. Example: praise, money, the chance to play video games.36
5609894997Immediate ReinforcerDefined: when you are immediately rewarded for a behavior (it's all about the short run) Example: skipping school and enjoying time with friends37
5609894998Delayed 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 future38
5609894999Positive PunishmentPart of Operant Conditioning Adding something to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again Example: Spanking and yelling39
5609895000Negative PunishmentPart of Operant Conditioning Removing something to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again Example: Grounding40
5609895001Concerns regarding PunishmentIt does not teach the learner appropriate behavior and can also increase violent behavior in the learner Example: If your psychology teacher taught you everything you didn't need to know for the AP Psych Exam41
5609895002ShapingPart of Operant Conditioning Positively reinforcing closer and closer approximations of a desird behavior to teach a new behavior42
5609895003Discriminative StimulusDefined: the stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement Example: Calling your friend one name but not using that same name with your parents43
5609895004Superstitious BehaviorDefined: if a random reinforcement follows an event, the event will likely be repeated. Example: a lucky shirt, shoes, etc.44
5609895005Continuous Reinforcement ScheduleDefined: When every behavior is reinforced Example: a multiple choice test Significance: best for "establishing" a behavior45
5609895006Partial Reinforcement ScheduleDefined: When a random behavior is reinforced Example: Fixed Ratio, Variable Ratio, Fixed Interval, Variable Interval Significance: best for "maintaining" a behavior46
5609895007Fixed-Ratio ScheduleDefined: schedule of reinforcement after a set number of responses. Example: Being paid for every 10 pizzas made47
5609895008Variable-Ratio ScheduleDefined: schedule of reinforcement after a varying number of responses. Example: playing a slot machine48
5609895009Fixed-Interval ScheduleDefined: schedule of reinforcement after a fixed amount of time has passed Example: cramming for an exam49
5609895010Variable-Interval ScheduleDefined: schedule of reinforcement after varying amounts of time Example: pop (surprise) quizzes in class50
5609895011Latent 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 maze51
5609895012Cognitive MapsDefined: having the ability or know how to accomplish a particular task Example: Tolman's rats knew how to complete the maze52
5609895013Instinctive 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 bank53
5609895014Insight LearningDefined: suddenly knowing the solution to the problem Example: When taking a test and the previous answer comes to you without effort54
5609895015Intrinsic 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 rewarding55
5609895016Extrinsic 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 class56
5609895017Observational LearningDefined: learn by watching others Example: BoBo Doll Study57
5609895018BoBo 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"58
5609895019Mirror NeuronsDefined: frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so Example: explains why yawning is contagious59
5609895020DensensitizationDefined: 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 television60
5609895021Pro-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 same61
5609895022Anti-Social ModelingDefined: People show violent, selfish behavior prompts similar behaviors in others Significance: Watching violent TV prompts similar behaviors in others (pro-wrestling, etc.)62

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!