Unit 6-Conditioning and Learning

AP Psychology College Board Learning Objectives

Distinguish general differences between principles of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning (e.g., contingencies).
Describe basic classical conditioning phenomena, such as acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, discrimination, and higher-order learning.
Predict the effects of operant conditioning (e.g., positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, schedules of reinforcement).
Predict how practice, schedules of reinforcement, and motivation will influence quality of learning.
Interpret graphs that exhibit the results of learning experiments.
Provide examples of how biological constraints create learning predispositions.
Describe the essential characteristics of insight learning, latent learning, and social learning.
Apply learning principles to explain emotional learning, taste aversion, superstitious behavior, and learned helplessness.
Suggest how behavior modification, biofeedback, coping strategies, and self-control can be used to address behavioral problems.
Identify key contributors in the psychology of learning (e.g., Albert Bandura, John Garcia, Ivan Pavlov, Robert Rescorla, B. F. Skinner, Edward Thorndike, Edward Tolman, John B. Watson).

Use these standards as a checklist to make sure you've mastered this unit.

Classical Conditioning
- 1.1 Describe the principles of classical conditioning.
- 1.2 Describe clinical and experimental examples of classical conditioning.
- 1.3 Apply classical conditioning to everyday life.
Operant conditioning
- 2.1 Describe the Law of Effect.
- 2.2 Describe the principles of operant conditioning.
- 2.3 Describe clinical and experimental examples of operant conditioning.
- 2.4 Apply operant conditioning to everyday life.
Observational and cognitive learning
- 3.1 Describe the principles of observational and cognitive learning.
- 3.2 Apply observational and cognitive learning to everyday life.

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