Learning Exam #2

Classical Conditioning

Learning associations between stimuli, exemplified by a bell indicating food.

Instrumental Conditioning

Learning associations between stimuli, response, and outcome that lead to goal-directed behavior.

Law of Effect

Responses followed by satisfying events strengthen the association between stimulus and response; those followed by unsatisfying events weaken it.

Free-Operant Approach

Subjects can respond at any time, and the timing of responses is determined by them.

Magazine Training

A process in classical conditioning where the sound of the food dispenser (CS+) signals food (US).

Shaping

Reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior while not reinforcing early non-target responses.

Appetitive Stimulus

A pleasant outcome, such as food or rewards.

Aversive Stimulus

A negative outcome, such as punishment or discomfort.

Positive Reinforcement

Increases responding by providing a pleasant outcome following a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Increases responding by removing or stopping an aversive stimulus.

Punishment

Decreases responding by providing an aversive stimulus following a behavior.

Omission Training

Decreases responding by removing a pleasant stimulus following a behavior.

Escape

A type of negative reinforcement where the aversive stimulus is present and stopped by the response.

Avoidance

A type of negative reinforcement where the response prevents the occurrence of an aversive stimulus.

Contingency

The likelihood of an outcome occurring as a result of a specific response.