Study Guide TEST III Psychology

Learning
concepts to know

operant conditioning, Associate actions with consequences

skinner B.F. Skinner – behaviorist. Study only measurable, observable behavior.

All behavior is a product of learning.
Learning to make an involuntary response to a stimulus rather than the
classical conditioning original, natural stimulus that normally produces the reflex.
Pavlov Bell & salivating dog experiment

NS – neutral stimulus. Something by itself that does not illicit the

NS, US, UR, CS, CR response or reflex action.

US – Unconditioned stimulus. Naturally occurring stimulus that

produces naturally occurring response.

UR – Unconditioned response. Naturally occurring response from the

naturally occurring stimulus.

CS – conditioned stimulus. Previously neutral stimulus that now

produces response.

CR – conditioned response. Response to the conditioned stimulus that

previously only occurred with the unconditioned stimulus.
Positive – adding something of value to produce desired behavior
reinforcement; positive (reward)
negative
Negative – removing something to produce desired behavior. (restriction)

Shaping Molding responses gradually to a desired pattern.

successive approximations Small steps, one after the other, that produces results closer to the goal
behavior.
Behavior that eventually ceases after a period of time once the
Extinction reinforcement of the stimulus has stopped.
spontaneous recovery Recurrence of conditioned response at some point after extinction has
occurred.
Antecedents Event that proceeds a response

consequences Effect that follows a response

punishment, Application – something unpleasant added to a situation to decrease
by application, by removal undesirable behavior (spanking, scolding)

Removal – something pleasurable removed. (privileges revoked)

primary/ secondary Primary – needs for survival; food, water

reinforcers Secondary – not needed for survival; praise, money.

Period of acquisition, Amount of time it takes to learn the behavior

Period of extinction Amount of time it takes to not have the learned response after the
stimulus has stopped
desensitization Exposure to feared stimuli in a gradual process to eventually remove the
fear.
vicarious learning Learn by watching others. Do not have to experience it for ones self.

superstition Behavior that is repeated to produce desired results, even though it is not
necessary.
generalization and Generalization – response to stimuli that are similar, but not the same.
discrimination (bells – phone, doorbell, timer. Different bell sounds produces same
result.)

Discrimination – the learned ability to respond differently to various

stimuli.

phobia Learned behaviors traced back to an original fear.

schedule of reinforcements Varying the time between rewards to teach desired response.

variable and fixed ratios and FR fixed ratio. Based on a number of responses. (commission based on
intervals number produced)

VR comes at any time without specific count between responses. (slots)

FI comes at a specific time period. (paycheck)

VI cannot predict consistency based on the passage of time. (fishing)

token reinforcement, Tangible secondary reinforcement (star on board, poker chips, game
token)
token economy The use of tokens to modify a behavior.
observational learning: Learning by watching and paying attention.
attention, memory, 1. attention: learn by paying attention to something. (which utensil
imitation, motivation to use at a fancy dinner party.)
2. memory: retain the information gained by paying attention.
3. imitation: reproduce the actions learned.
4. motivation: desire to reproduce that action which was learned.

study guide social

behavior

reasons for attraction: physical proximity

physical attractiveness
competence
similarity

not on study guide: reciprocity- do unto others.

self-disclosure Process of revealing ones private thought, attitudes, feelings, and

personal history to others.
1. reciprocity: return in kind; exchange.
2. overdisclosure: self disclosure that exceeds what is appropriate
for a relationship or social situation. (TMI)

liking affection without passion or deep commitment

romantic love : personal attraction along with high emotional connection/sexual drive

not on study guide: mutual absorption-when two lovers almost always

attend only to each other.

3 components of love: Intimacy: emotional investment

Passion: expression of physical and psychological needs and desires.
Commitment: cognitive decision to stay in a relationship.
in-group: help define who we are socially. A group a person identifies with.

out-group: those we do not associate with. Do not identify with.

norm: a widely accepted standard for behavior

fundamental attribution Tendency to attribute the behavior of others to internal causes. (judging
error the character of another based on behavior)

actor observer bias Tendency to attribute the behavior of others to internal causes. (judging
the character of another based on behavior) while at the same time
contributing your own actions to external influences (justifying your own
actions while judging the other person for the same behaviors)

obedience: conformity to the demands of authority

compliance: bending to requests of person who has little/no authority over you.

self-assertiveness: right to refuse, to request, and to right a wrong

standing up for these rights by speaking out on your own behalf

prejudice: negative emotional attitude held toward members of a specific group

scapegoating
discrimination: unequal treatment of people who should have same rights as others
putting prejudice into action

ethnocentrism: placing one’s own group in the center and judging all others by own
standards

aggression: any action carried out with intention of harming others