1RichardsonL_Unit 4 Vocab

Classical Conditioning

a learning procedure in which associations are made between a natural stimulus and a neutral stimulus

Neutral Stimulus

a stimulus that does not initially elicit any part of the unconditioned response

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

an event that elicits a certain predictable response typically without previous training

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

an organism’s automatic (or natural) reaction to a stimulus

Conditioned Stimus (CS)

a once-neutral event that elicits a given response after a period of training in which it has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus

Conditioned Response (CR)

the learned reaction to a conditioned stimulus

Generalization

responding similarly to a range of similar stimuli

Discrimination

the ability to respond differently to similar but distinct stimuli

Extinction

the gradual disappearance of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus

Operant Conditioning

learning in which a certain action is reinforced or punished, resulting in corresponding increases or decreases in occurrence

Reinforcement

stimulus or event that follows a response and increases the likelihood that the response will be repeated

Primary Reinforcer

stimulus that is naturally rewarding, such as food or water

Secondary Reinforcer

stimulus such as money that becomes rewarding through its link with a primary reinforcer

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

a pattern of reinforcement in which a specific number of
correct responses is required before reinforcement can be
obtained

Variable-Ratio Schedule

a pattern of reinforcement in which an unpredictable number of responses are required before reinforcement can be obtained

Fixed-Interval Schedule

a pattern of reinforcement in which an unpredictable number of responses are required before reinforcement can be obtained

Variable-Interval Schedule

a pattern of reinforcement in which changing amounts of time must elapse before a response will obtain reinforcement

Shaping

technique in which the desired behavior is “molded” by first rewarding any act similar to that behavior and then requiring ever-closer approximations to the desired behavior before giving the reward

Response Chain

learned reactions that follow one another in sequence, each reaction producing the signal for the next

Aversive Control

process of influencing behavior by means of unpleasant stimuli

Negative Reinforcement

increasing the strength of a given response by removing or preventing a painful stimulus when the response occurs

Escape Conditioning

training of an organism to remove or terminate an unpleasant stimulus

Avoidance Conditioning

training of an organism to withdraw from or prevent an
unpleasant stimulus before it starts

Social Learning

process of altering behavior by observing and imitating the behavior of others

Cognitive Learning

form of altering behavior that involves mental processes and may result from observation or imitation

Cognitive Map

a mental picture of spatial relationships or relationships between events

Latent Learning

alteration of a behavioral tendency that is not demonstrated by an immediate, observable change in
behavior

Learned Helplessness

condition in which repeated attempts to control a situation fail, resulting in the belief that the situation is uncontrollable

Modeling

learning by imitating others; copying behavior

Behavior Modification

systematic application of learning principles to change people’s actions and feelings

Token Economy

conditioning in which desirable behavior is reinforced with valueless objects, which can be accumulated and exchanged for valued rewards