2027 Update) Introduction to Psychology
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Classical conditioning
Learning to associate 2 stimuli together, which leads to an organism anticipating future events.
Example: Ivan Paplov studied salivation in dogs as a precursor to digestion.
Unconditioned stimulus
Stimulus that automatically triggers a response naturally. Unlearned.
Unconditioned response
Naturally occuring, unlearned response to an unconditioned stimulus. Unlearned.
Conditioned stimulus
Originally neutral stimulus that triggers a response after an association with an unconditioned
stimulus is formed. Learned.
Conditioned response
Learned response to a stimulus that was originally neutral, but is now conditioned.
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Extinction
Occurs when the unconditioned stimulus is no linger paired with the conditioned stimulus. Make
the behavior go away.
Generalization
Stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus will also elicit the conditioned response. Avoid things
that are similar to things that have hurt us.
Operant conditioning
Controlling behavior through consequences. Behavior strengthened by reinforcement and
weakened by punishment.
Positive reinforcement
Increases behavior by presenting a positive stimulus. Adding Example: giving dog a treat to roll
over
Negative reinforcement
Increases behavior by stopping a negative stimulus. Subtracting Example: you buy your child a
toy in the store and he stops crying. This will increase your toy buying behavior.
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2027 Update) Introduction to Psychology
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Primary reinforcer
Does not have to be learned. Satisfies a biological need. Food. Water. Similar to unconditioned
stimuli.
Secondary reinforcer
Has to be learned. These can get us the primary reinforcers. Good grades. Money. Similar to
conditioned stimuli.
Reinforcement schedules
Continuous and partial
Continuous reinforcement
A behavior is reinforced every time it occurs. For example if you give your child a candy bar
every time he cleans his room.
Partial reinforcement
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2027 Update) Introduction to Psychology
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A behavior is reinforced only part of the time it occurs. Example: you gave your child a candy
bar every so often after he cleans his room. Note: this type of schedule is much more difficult to
extinguish
Partial reinforcement schedule types
Ratio and Interval
Ratio
Reinforcement that occurs after a number of responses occur - response
Interval
Reinforcement occurs after an amount of time passes - time
Fixed-ratio
A knowable pattern. You get your reinforcer after a specific number of responses. For example:
after purchasing five sandwiches, you get one free at your favorite deli
Variable-ratio