This glossary provides a systematic compilation of technical terms and fundamental concepts central to the field of Educational Psychology and Second Language Acquisition (SLA). As the study of learning moves from traditional teacher-centered models to complex cognitive and social frameworks, the language used to describe these processes has become increasingly specialized.
The purpose of this document is to bridge the gap between theoretical research and classroom practice. By mastering this terminology, students can engage more deeply with academic literature, improve their pedagogical precision, and better analyze the diverse learning processes occurring within their future classrooms.
Classical Conditioning: A learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus (e.g., Pavlov’s dogs).
Operant Conditioning: Learning based on the consequences of behavior (rewards/reinforcement vs. punishment).
Positive Reinforcement: Strengthening a behavior by providing a desirable reward immediately after the behavior occurs.
Tabula Rasa: The belief that the mind is a "blank slate" at birth and all knowledge comes from the environment.
Habit Formation: The process by which a behavior becomes automatic through constant repetition and reinforcement.
Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis (CAH): The claim that L2 errors are primarily caused by interference from the L1 (Negative Transfer).
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Bloom’s Taxonomy: A hierarchical classification of learning objectives (Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, Creating).
