Psych Vocab #4

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Behaviorism

Back

The perspective that psychology should be an objective science focusing on observable behaviors rather than internal mental processes.

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Classical conditioning

Back

A type of associative learning that involves learned involuntary responses. Example: Bee sting = pain, so people flinch when bees are near.

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Associative learning

Back

Learning that certain events occur together.

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Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Back

The stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response (e.g., thunder).

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Unconditioned response (UCR)

Back

An unlearned, naturally occurring response to the US (e.g., wincing).

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Conditioned stimulus (CS)

Back

The originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with the US, comes to trigger a response (e.g., lightning).

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Conditioned response (CR)

Back

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus (e.g., wincing).

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Acquisition

Back

The initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned involuntary response.

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Extinction

Back

The diminished responding that occurs when the CS no longer signals impending US.

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Spontaneous recovery

Back

The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response (occurs only after extinction).