chapter 6

Behaviorism

The view that psychology should study observable behaviors and conditions, not thoughts or emotions.

Stimulus-Response Psychology

Behavior explained by how each stimulus triggers a response.

Classical Conditioning

Learning a connection between two stimuli so one predicts the other.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that automatically produces an unconditioned response.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

The automatic reaction triggered by the UCS.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A stimulus that elicits a response due to learning.

Conditioned Response (CR)

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

The formation of the conditioned response through CS–UCS pairings.

Extinction (Classical)

Weakening of the CR by presenting the CS without the UCS.

Spontaneous Recovery

Temporary return of an extinguished response after time passes.

Stimulus Generalization

Responding to stimuli similar to the CS.

Discrimination

Responding differently to similar stimuli when only one predicts an outcome.

Pavlov’s Explanation

Putting stimuli close in time forms an association.

Modern Explanation

Learning occurs when the CS predicts the UCS, not just from pairing.

Blocking Effect

An already learned CS prevents learning a new CS added later.

Drug Tolerance (CC)

Environmental cues act as CSs; tolerance partially learned through classical conditioning.

Operant Conditioning

Learning in which behavior produces consequences that affect future behavior.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by favorable outcomes become more likely.

Reinforcement

Any event that increases the probability of a behavior.

Punishment

Any event that decreases the probability of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Adding something desirable to increase behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing something unpleasant to increase behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding something unpleasant to decrease behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing something desirable to decrease behavior.

Disequilibrium Principle

Restricted behaviors become reinforcing when allowed again.

Primary Reinforcer

Something naturally reinforcing (food, water).

Secondary Reinforcer

Something learned to be reinforcing (money, praise).

Extinction (Operant)

Behavior weakens when it no longer produces reinforcement.

Stimulus Generalization (Operant)

Performing a behavior in response to similar stimuli.

Discriminative Stimulus

A signal indicating when a particular response is appropriate.

Shaping

Reinforcing gradual steps toward a desired behavior.

Chaining

Reinforcing behaviors that lead to the next step in a sequence.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing every correct response.

Intermittent Reinforcement

Reinforcing only some responses; leads to stronger long-term behavior.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement after a set number of responses.

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Reinforcement after a varying number of responses; highly resistant to extinction.

Fixed-Interval Schedule

Reinforcement for the first response after a fixed time period.

Variable-Interval Schedule

Reinforcement available after variable time intervals.

Applied Behavior Analysis

Modifying behavior by reinforcing desired actions and removing reinforcement for unwanted ones.

Preparedness

Tendency to learn some associations more easily due to evolution.

Conditioned Taste Aversion

Learning to avoid a food after one pairing with illness; forms quickly and strongly.

Social Learning

Learning by observing others’ behavior and consequences.

Modeling

Imitating another person’s actions.

Vicarious Reinforcement

Being more likely to perform a behavior after seeing someone else rewarded.

Vicarious Punishment

Being less likely to perform a behavior after seeing someone else punished.

Self-Efficacy

Belief in one’s ability to perform a task successfully.