Psychology Key Terms
What is classical conditioning?
Learning by association
How does classical conditioning happen?
When two or more stimuli are repeatedly paired together
What kind of stimuli are paired together at the beginning of classical conditioning?
An unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and a new, 'neutral' stimulus (NS)
What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
A UCS is a stimulus that doesn't need to be conditioned and already creates a response
What is a neutral stimulus (NS)?
An NS is something that doesn't create a reaction yet, this needs to be paired with the UCS to become a conditioned stimulus
What kind of reaction will an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) produce?
An unconditioned response (UCR)
What kind of reaction will a neutral stimulus (NS) by itself create?
No response
What kind of response will an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and a neutral stimulus (NS) create when first paired?
An unconditioned response (UCR)
What kind of response will the conditioned stimulus (CS) create after conditioning?
A conditioned response (CR)
What kind of stimulus was the food (Pavlov)?
UCS
What kind of stimulus was the bell in the beginning of the study (Pavlov)?
NS
What kind of response was the drooling towards the food at the beginning of the study (Pavlov)?
UCR
What kind of response was given to the bell at the beginning of the study (Pavlov)?
No response
What kind of response was the drooling towards the bell and food in the middle of the study (Pavlov)?
UCR
What kind of response was the drooling towards the bell at the end of the study (Pavlov)?
CR
What kind of stimulus was the bell at the end of the study (Pavlov)?
CS
What are conditioned cues?
(Secondary reinforcers) cues that link to a behaviour but aren't the behaviour itself
In terms of conditioned cues, what is an example of a primary reinforcer?
Smoking
In terms of conditioned cues, what is a secondary reinforcer?
Lighter (for smoking)
How does a secondary reinforcer increase the chances of relapse?
It is a cue linked with the original behaviour, so will be more likely to think of addiction than anything else
What is negative reinforcement?
In operant conditioning, the process of learning in which a behaviour is likely to be repeated because the consequence of the behaviour is the removal of an unpleasant stimulus/situation, which is experienced as rewarding
What is positive reinforcement?
In operant conditioning, the process of learning in which a behaviour is more likely to be repeated because it is pleasurable - the pleasure is rewarding
What is an example of positive reinforcement in terms of Skinner's study?
The rats were given food if they pulled the lever, so would repeat this behaviour for more food
What is an example of negative reinforcement in terms of Skinner's study?
The floor was electrocuted slightly but would stop when the rats would pull the lever. They would repeat this behaviour to take the pain away
What is an example of punishment in terms of Skinner's study?
When the rats would pull the lever, the floor would slightly electrocute. They would not repeat this behaviour since this led to punishment
What are role models?
People who have qualities we would like to have and identify with
What behaviour do we do to feel more connected with our role models?
We imitate their behaviour and attitudes, feel more successful
What is self-efficacy?
A person's confidence in their ability to achieve success
What is cue reactivity?
Cues that relate to an addictive behaviour are more likely to trigger reactions such as cravings and arousal
What is an example of cue reactivity in terms of gambling?
The sounds of fruit machines or the bright lights can relate to the pleasurable effects of past gambling
What is a variable reinforcement schedule?
(Links to operant conditioning) A reward is delivered at intervals that change each time, rather than every tenth trial
What is the point of gambling businesses setting up a variable reinforcement schedule?
This brings an addictive response to the anticipation of not knowing when a reward will be given, so people are more likely to continue spending money to increase their chance of winning