Untitled Flashcards Set

Reinforcer

A consequence that increases operant behavior above its baseline level.

Pavlovian Extinction

The procedure of repeatedly presenting a CS with the US, resulting in the reduction in the ability of a CS to produce the CR.

Operant Behavior

A generic class of responses that produce the same consequence.

Consequence

An observable stimulus change that occurs after operant behavior.

Unconditioned Stimulus

A pavlovian stimulus that elicits a response without any prior learning.

Unconditioned Response

A response reliably elicited by an unconditioned stimulus.

Antecedent

An observable stimulus that occurs before operant behavior.

Conditioned Response

A response reliably elicited by a conditioned stimulus.

Contingency

The causal IF → THEN relationship between behavior and a consequence.

Conditioned Stimulus

A Pavlovian stimulus that elicits a response after pairing with an unconditioned stimulus.

Pavlovian Generalization

Conditioned responding to a novel stimulus that resembles the conditioned stimulus.

Graduated Exposure Therapy

The client is gradually exposed to successively stronger approximations of the conditioned stimulus; it helps treat phobias and anxiety disorders.

Superstitions

Behaviors or beliefs that are irrationally linked to a specific outcome or event, despite no direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Noncontingent

Not depending on or influenced by something else.

Constraint-induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)

A rehabilitation technique primarily used to improve movement in individuals with neurological damage; it encourages use of the affected limb.

Positive Reinforcement

A psychological concept where a pleasant stimulus is added after a desired behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

A behavioral concept where an unpleasant stimulus is removed after a desired behavior occurs, increasing the likelihood of that behavior.

Escape

Behavior where the individual avoids or terminates an unpleasant stimulus, typically involving negative reinforcement.

Avoidance

Behavior in which an individual actively prevents an unpleasant situation before it happens.

Loss Aversion

The tendency to prefer avoiding losses rather than acquiring gains of the same size; the pain of losing is psychologically more intense than the pleasure of gaining.

Warning Stimulus

Used to signal potential negative consequences or danger and to prompt certain behaviors in individuals.