Key Concepts in Operant Conditioning and Learning

Shaping

an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

Discriminative Stimulus

in operant conditioning, a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement

Positive Reinforcement

increasing behaviors by presenting a pleasurable stimulus

Negative Reinforcement

increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing an aversive stimulus

Primary Reinforcer

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need

Conditioned Reinforcer

a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer

Reinforcement Schedule

a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced

Continuous Reinforcement Schedule

reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement Schedule

reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses

Variable-Ratio Schedule

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses

Fixed-Interval Schedule

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed

Variable-Interval Schedule

in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals

Punishment

an event that tends to decrease the behavior that it follows

Instinctive Drift

the tendency of learned behavior to gradually revert to biologically predisposed patterns

Cognitive Map

a mental representation of the layout of one's environment

Latent Learning

learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it

Insight Learning

solving problems through sudden insight; contrasts with strategy-based solutions

Observational Learning

learning by observing others

Modeling

the process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

Mirror Neurons

neurons that some scientists believe fire when we perform certain actions or observe another doing so

Prosocial Behavior

positive, constructive, helpful behavior

Antisocial Behavior

negative, destructive, harmful behavior