PSY101 Key Terms Chapter 5

acquisition

The initial learning of the connection between the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus when these two stimuli are paired.

applied behavior analysis or behavior modification

The use of operant conditioning principles to change human behavior.

associative learning

Learning that occurs when an organism makes a connection, or an association, between two events.

aversive conditioning

A form of treatment that consists of repeated pairings of a stimulus with a very unpleasant stimulus.

avoidance learning

An organism’s learning that it can altogether avoid a negative stimulus by making a particular response.

behaviorism

A theory of learning that focuses solely on observable behaviors, discounting the importance of such mental activity as thinking, wishing, and hoping.

classical conditioning

Learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an innately meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response.

conditioned response (CR)

The learned response to the conditioned stimulus that occurs after a conditioned stimulus–unconditioned stimulus pairing.

conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that eventually elicits a conditioned response after being paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

counterconditioning

A classical conditioning procedure for changing the relationship between a conditioned stimulus and its conditioned response.

delay of gratification

Putting off the pleasure of an immediate reward in order to gain a larger, later reward.

discrimination

An unjustified negative or harmful action toward a member of a group simply because the person belongs to that group.

discrimination (classical conditioning)

The process of learning to respond to certain stimuli and not others.

discrimination (operant conditioning)

Responding appropriately to stimuli that signal that a behavior will or will not be reinforced.

extinction (classical conditioning)

The weakening of the conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus is absent.

extinction (operant conditioning)

Decreases in the frequency of a behavior when the behavior is no longer reinforced.

generalization (classical conditioning)

The tendency of a new stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus to elicit a response that is similar to the conditioned response.

generalization (operant conditioning)

Performing a reinforced behavior in a different situation.

habituation

Decreased responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated presentations.

insight learning

A form of problem solving in which the organism develops a sudden insight into or understanding of a problem’s solution.

instinctive drift

The tendency of animals to revert to instinctive behavior that interferes with learning.

latent learning or implicit learning

Unreinforced learning that is not immediately reflected in behavior.

law of effect

Thorndike’s law stating that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened and that behaviors followed by negative outcomes are weakened.

learned helplessness

Through experience with unavoidable aversive stimuli, an organism learns that it has no control over negative outcomes.

learning

A systematic, relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs through experience.

negative punishment

The removal of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior.

negative reinforcement

The removal of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to increase the frequency of that behavior.

observational learning

Learning that occurs through observing and imitating another’s behavior.

operant conditioning or instrumental conditioning

A form of associative learning in which the consequences of a behavior change the probability of the behavior’s occurrence.

positive punishment

The presentation of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to decrease the frequency of that behavior.

positive reinforcement

The presentation of a stimulus following a given behavior in order to increase the frequency of that behavior.

preparedness

The species-specific biological predisposition to learn in certain ways but not others.

primary reinforcer

A reinforcer that is innately satisfying; one that does not take any learning on the organism’s part to make it pleasurable.

punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood that a behavior will occur.

reinforcement

The process by which a stimulus or an event (a reinforcer) following a particular behavior increases the probability that the behavior will happen again.

schedules of reinforcement

Specific patterns that determine when a behavior will be reinforced.

secondary reinforcer

A reinforcer that acquires its positive value through an organism’s experience; a secondary reinforcer is a learned or conditioned reinforcer.

shaping

Rewarding successive approximations of a desired behavior.

spontaneous recovery

The process in classical conditioning by which a conditioned response can recur after a time delay, without further conditioning.

unconditioned response (UR)

An unlearned reaction that is automatically elicited by the unconditioned stimulus.

unconditioned stimulus (US)

A stimulus that produces a response without prior learning.