(ABA) Chapter 8: Respondent Conditioning

Backward conditioning

A respondent conditioning procedure in which the unconditioned stimulus (US) is presented before the conditioned stimulus (CS) This is the least effective type of respondent conditioning procedure.

Conditioned emotional response (CER)

A type of conditioned response in which an emotional response such as fear, anger, or happiness is elicited by a conditioned stimulus in the process of respondent conditioning.

Conditioned response (CR)

In respondent conditioning, a CR is elicited by a conditioned stimulus. The conditioned stimulus acquires the power to elicit the CR by its repeated pairings with an unconditioned stimulus or another conditioned stimulus.

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus. Once established in this way, the CS elicits a conditioned response similar to the conditioned response elicited by the unconditioned stimulus.

Delay conditioning

A type of respondent conditioning in which conditioned stimulus (CS) is presented and the unconditioned stimulus (US) is then presented before the termination of the CS.

Higher-order conditioning

The process by which, when a neutral stimulus is paired with a conditioned stimulus (CS) a number of times, the neutral stimulus becomes a CS that will then elicit the same conditioned response (CR).

Operant behavior

Behavior that acts on the environment to produce an immediate consequence and, in turn, is strengthened by that consequence.

Operant conditioning

Occurs when a behavior in a particular situation is followed by a reinforcing consequence, thus making the behavior more likely to occur in similar circumstances in the future.

Respondent behavior

Behavior that is elicited by a prior stimulus. An unconditioned response (UR) and a conditioned response (CR) are respondent behaviors because they are elicited by unconditioned stimuli (US) and conditioned stimuli (CS), respectively.

Respondent conditioning

A process in which a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US). The US elicits an unconditioned response (UR). As a result of pairing the neutral stimulus with the US, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) that will elicit a response similar to the UR, called a conditioned response (CR).

Respondent extinction

The process by which, when a conditioned stimulus (CS) is no longer paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US), the CS gradually ceases to elicit the conditioned response (CR).

Salient

A stimulus is salient when it is intense or easily detected by the individual.

Simultaneous conditioning

The process in which the unconditioned stimulus (US) and the conditioned stimulus (CS) are presented at the same time in respondent conditioning trials.

Spontaneous Recovery (respondent)

The process in which, when a conditioned response (CR) has been extinguished, the CR may occur at a later time when the conditioned stimulus (CS) is presented again.

Trace conditioning

A type of respondent conditioning in which the conditioned stimulus (CS) is presented and then the unconditioned stimulus (US) is presented after the termination of the CS.

Unconditioned response (UR)

The response that is elicited by an unconditioned stimulus (US).

Unconditioned stimulus (US)

A stimulus that naturally elicits an unconditioned response (UR) because the US has survival value. No prior conditioning is needed for the US to elicit a UR.