AP Psychology – Chapter 6: Learning (Operant Conditioning)

These flashcards cover key concepts and differences between classical and operant conditioning, including definitions, terms, and examples to assist with studying for the AP Psychology exam.

In operant conditioning, the association is established between a __ and its consequences.

response

In classical conditioning, an association is formed between __.

two stimuli

In operant conditioning, the focus is on what __ the response.

follows

Pavlov focused on what led up to the __ in his dogs, not on what happened after they salivated.

salivation

Generally, in classical conditioning, the subject is __ and responds to the environment rather than acting on it.

passive

In operant conditioning, the subject is __ and operates on the environment.

active

Behaviors followed by __ consequences become more likely, and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

favorable

punishment involves presenting an aversive stimulus after a behavior has occurred.

Positive

Negative punishment involves taking away a __ stimulus after a behavior has occurred.

desirable

Classical conditioning involves an __ or reflexive response, while operant conditioning involves a voluntary response.

involuntary

Shaping involves reinforcing closer __ to the target behavior through successive approximations.

approximations

Positive reinforcers strengthen a response by __ a stimulus after a response.

presenting

Negative reinforcers strengthen a response by __ or removing an aversive stimulus.

reducing

The distinction between classical and operant conditioning is __ especially in the context of dog training with clicker.

not absolute

The timing with which reinforcement is delivered has a bearing on the ensuing __.

behavior

Fixed-ratio schedules involve providing rewards every __ time the right behavior is demonstrated.

nth