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Definition
| A relatively permanent change in an organism's behavior due to experience. |
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| Learning that certain events occur together. The events may be two stimuli (as in classical conditioning) or a response and its consequences (as in operant conditioning). |
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| A type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli. A neural stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus (US) begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the US. Also called Pavlovian or respondent conditioning. |
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| The view that psychology (1) should be an objective science that (2) studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Most research psychologists totally agree with (1) but not with (2). |
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| unconditioned respose (UR) |
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Definition
| In classical conditioning, the unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivtion when food is in the mouth. |
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Term
| unconditioned stimulus (US) |
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Definition
| In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally - naturally and automatically - triggers a response. |
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Term
| conditioned response (CR) |
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Definition
| In classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditional) stimulus (CS). |
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| conditioned stimulus (CS) |
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Definition
| In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response. |
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Definition
| The initial stage in classical conditioning; the phase associating a neural stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neural stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response. |
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| The diminishing of a conditioned respose; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus does not follow a conditioned stimulus; occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced. |
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Definition
| The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response. |
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Definition
| The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses. |
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Definition
| In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and a stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus. |
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Definition
| A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher. |
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| Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus; Skinner's term for behavior learned through classical conditioning. |
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| Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences. |
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Definition
| Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely. |
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Definition
| A chamber also known as a "Skinner Box," containing a bar or key that an animal can mainpulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animal's rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research. |
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Definition
| An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior. |
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Definition
| In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows. |
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Definition
| Increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. Any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response. |
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Definition
| Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. Any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. |
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Definition
| An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need. |
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Term
| conditioned reinforcer (secondary reinforcer) |
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Definition
| A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; AKA secondary reinforcer. |
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Definition
| Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs. |
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Term
| partial (intermittent) reinforcement |
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Definition
| Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement. |
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Term
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Definition
| In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses. |
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Definition
| In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses. |
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Definition
| In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed. |
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Term
| variable-interval schedule |
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Definition
| In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals. |
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Definition
| An event that decreases the behavior that it follows. |
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Definition
| An mental representation of the layout of one's environment. |
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| Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it. |
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| A desire to perform a behavior for its own sake. |
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Definition
| A desire to perform a behavior due to promised rewards or threats of punishment. |
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| Learning by observing others. |
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| The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior. |
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Definition
| Frontal lobe neurons that fire when performing certain actions or when observing another do so. The brain's mirroring of another's action may enable imitation, language learning, and empathy. |
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Definition
| Positive, constructive, helpful behavior. The opposite of antisocial behavior. |
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