Lecture Notes on Conditioning and Behavioral Psychology

This set of flashcards covers key concepts in conditioning and behavioral psychology based on lecture notes, including definitions related to generalization, discrimination, exposure therapy, reinforcement schedules, and the principles of operant conditioning.

Generalization

The phenomenon where a fear response extends to similar stimuli, causing an individual to respond similarly to all related objects.

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli, allowing a person to respond differently to similar objects.

Exposure Therapy

A clinical psychology technique that aims to associate a feared object with relaxation rather than fear.

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally triggers an unconditioned response without any prior conditioning.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after being associated with an unconditioned stimulus, starts eliciting a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus that has become associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Response (UR)

An unlearned, naturally occurring reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Shaping

A conditioning method that reinforces successive approximations to the desired behavior.

Reinforcer

Any stimulus that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated by following that behavior.

Punishment

Any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Primary Reinforcer

A reinforcer that satisfies a biological need, such as food or water.

Secondary Reinforcer

A reinforcer that has acquired its value through association with primary reinforcers.

Fixed Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses.

Variable Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule where a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses.

Fixed Interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule where the first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed.

Variable Interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule where a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process that uses rewards and punishments to modify behavior.

Salience

The quality of being particularly noticeable or important; the degree to which a reinforcer is salient can affect conditioning.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an adverse stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding a desirable stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Positive Punishment

Adding an adverse stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.