Associative learning
Learning that certain events occur together
Stimulus
event or situation that evokes a response
Classical conditioning
Learning where we link two or more stimuli. (Pavlov’s dogs)
Operant conditioning
Learning where a behaviour becomes more likely to reoccur if followed by a reforcer (reward), or less likely to reoccur if followed by a punisher (punishment)
Respondent behaviour
Behaviour that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus
Operant behavior
Behaviour that operates on the environment, producing consequences
NS
Neutral stimulus = No response before conditioning
UR
Unconditioned response = Unlearned, naturally occurring response
US
Unconditioned stimulus = A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers an unconditioned response
CR
Conditioned response = A learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus
CS
Conditioned stimulus = An originally neutral stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to trigger a conditioned response
Acquisition
The initial stage in classical conditioning –> When one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus, so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response
Extinction
The diminishing of a conditioned response –> When an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus
Spontaneous recovery
The reappearance, after a pause, of an weakened conditioned response
Generalization (Stimulus generalization)
Once response has been conditioned, stimuli similar to conditioned stimulus may elicit similar responses
Discrimination
The learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus
Positive reinforcement
Increasing behaviours by presenting a pleasurable stimulus. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response
Negative reinforcement
Increasing behaviours by stopping or reducing an aversive stimulus. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: negative reinforcement is not punishment.)
Primary reinforcer
An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need
Conditioned (secondary) reinforcer
A stimulus that gains power through association with a primary reinforcer
Continuous reinforcement schedule
Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
Partial (intermittent) reinforcement schedule
Reinforcing a response only part of the time. Results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction
Fixed-ratio schedule
Reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses (“Buy 10, get 1 free”)
Variable-ratio schedule
Provides reinforcers after a seemingly unpredictable number of responses
