Classical Conditioning
A stimulus that naturally triggers a response without learning.
What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
Adding something pleasant to increase a behavior.
What is positive reinforcement?
This concept refers to a child’s understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.
What is object permanence?
Learning by watching and imitating others.
What is observational learning?
Studying the same participants over a long period of time to observe changes.
What is longitudinal research?
The learned response to a stimulus that was previously neutral.
What is a conditioned response (CR)?
Removing something unpleasant to increase a behavior.
What is negative reinforcement?
In this stage, adults reflect on contributing to society and guiding the next generation versus feeling stagnation.
What is generativity vs. stagnation?
Learning that occurs but is not immediately demonstrated until it is needed.
What is latent learning?
Studying different age groups at one point in time to compare development.
What is cross-sectional research?
The process of pairing a neutral stimulus with a stimulus that triggers a natural response.
What is acquisition?
A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
What is punishment?
The process of fitting new information into existing mental frameworks.
What is assimilation?
A mental representation of the layout of an environment.
What is a cognitive map?
Repeated exposure to a stimulus results in decreased responsiveness.
What is habituation?
When a conditioned response decreases because the conditioned stimulus is presented repeatedly without the unconditioned stimulus.
What is extinction?
A schedule where reinforcement occurs after a set number of responses.
What is a fixed-ratio schedule?
Cognitive development stage where children think symbolically, use language, and engage in pretend play but struggle with logic.
What is the preoperational stage?
Motivation to perform a behavior for internal satisfaction rather than external rewards.
What is intrinsic motivation?
The biological readiness to form certain associations more easily than others.
What is biological preparedness?
When a stimulus similar to the conditioned stimulus triggers a similar response.
What is generalization?
A schedule where reinforcement occurs unpredictably after an average number of responses.
What is a variable-ratio schedule?
Learning occurs best when social interaction and guidance help a learner achieve a higher level of understanding.
What is scaffolding / zone of proximal development?
A type of learning where behavior suddenly improves after thinking through a problem rather than trial-and-error.
What is insight learning?
This concept refers to the degree to which a study or test actually measures what it claims to measure.
What is validity?