The Basics
A change in behavior, resulting from experience.
Learning.
This scientist discovered classical conditioning by studying the digestive system of dogs.
Ivan Pavlov.
A learning process in which an action’s consequences determine how likely an action is to be performed in the future.
Operant conditioning.
The acquisition or modification of a behavior after exposure to at least one performance of that behavior.
This theory investigates how observable stimuli in the environment affect behavior.
Behaviorism.
A type of learned response in which a neutral object comes to elicit a response when it is associated with a stimulus that already produces a response.
Classical conditioning.
Any behavior leading to a “satisfying state of affairs” is likely to be repeated. Any behavior leading to an “annoying state of affairs” is less likely to reoccur.
Thorndike’s law of effect.
The imitation of behavior through observational learning.
Modeling.
The creator of behaviorism.
John Watson.
Anything not previously associated with the unconditioned response.
Neutral stimulus.
A stimulus that occurs after a response and increases likelihood of response reoccurring
Reinforcer.
Every time you watch another person engaging in an action, these fire.
Mirror neurons.
When the behavioral response to a stimulus decreases.
Habituation.
The gradual formation of an association between conditioned and unconditioned stimuli.
Acquisition.
The removal of a stimulus to decrease the probability that a behavior will recur.
Negative punishment.
Learning the consequences of an action by watching others being rewarded or punished for performing the action.
Vicarious conditioning.
When the behavioral response to a stimulus increases.
Sensitization.
A process in which the conditioned response is weakened when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.
Extinction.
The addition of a stimulus to decrease the probability that a behavior will recur.
Positive punishment.