Glossary

a form of learning where two unrelated stimuli are linked together.

Piagetian stage between ages 7 and 12 when children can think logically about concrete situations but not engage in systematic scientific reasoning.

an increase in retrieval when the external situation in which information is learned matches the situation in which it is remembered

Ways in which development occurs in a gradual incremental manner, rather than through sudden jumps.

practice that is spread out over time

knowledge or experiences that can be consciously remembered

a vivid and emotional memory of an unusual event that people believe they remember very well

Piagetian stage starting at age 12 years and continuing for the rest of life, in which adolescents may gain the reasoning powers of educated adults.

supporting cells of the nervous system

a behavioral response that is weakened with repeated presentations of a stimulus.

the sudden understanding of a solution to a problem

learning that is not reinforced and not demonstrated until there is motivation to do so

the strengthening of the synaptic connections between neurons as result of frequent stimulation

a long-lasting increase in synaptic responsiveness after high-frequency stimulation

practice that comes in one block

errors in memory that occur when new information influences existing memories

weakens a response by reducing or removing something pleasant

strengthens a response by reducing or removing something unpleasant

cells that form the basic unit of communication in the nervous system

learning by observing the behavior of others

earning that occurs based on the consequences of behavior

the tendency for people to be too certain about their ability to accurately remember events and to make judgments

continuing to practice and study even when we think that we have mastered the material

Awareness of the component sounds within words.

weakens a response by presenting something unpleasant after the response

strengthens a response by presenting something pleasant after the response

any event that weakens or decreases the likelihood of a behavior

Large, fundamental change, as when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly; stage theories such as Piaget’s posit that each stage reflects qualitative change relative to previous stages.

Large, fundamental change, as when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly; stage theories such as Piaget’s posit that each stage reflects qualitative change relative to previous stages.

any event that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a behavior

the process of reactivating information that has been stored in memory

A teacher or more advanced peer provides support and guidance to a less skilled individual to increase their understanding and performance.

an increased response to a repeated stimulus

attitude change that occurs over time when we forget the source of information

the ability to accurately identify the source of a memory

learning is better when the same amount of study is spread out over periods of time than it is when it occurs closer together or at the same time

superior retrieval of memories when the individual is in the same physiological or psychological state as during encoding

In Vygotsky’s theory of socio-cultural development, the zone of proximal distance is the difference between the child’s current performance or ability and their performance with guidance by a more skilled individual.