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acquisition
In conditioning, forming associations in first learning a task.
avoidance conditioning
Learning situation in which a subject avoids a stimulus by learning to respond appropriately before the stimulus begins.
classical conditioning
The form of learning in which a stimulus is associated with another stimulus that causes a particular response. Sometimes called Pavlovian conditioning or respondent conditioning.
cognitive learning
Type of learning that theorizes that the learner utilizes cognitive structures in memory to make decisions about behaviors.
cognitive map
A mental representation of an area; concept used by Tolman in cognitive learning.
conditioned response (CR)
The response or behavior that occurs when the conditioned stimulus is presented (after the CS has been associated with the US).
conditioned stimulus (CS)
An originally neutral stimulus that is associated with an unconditioned stimulus and takes on the latter's capability of eliciting a particular reaction.
conditioned taste aversion (CTA)
An aversion to particular tastes associated with stomach distress; usually considered a unique form of classical conditioning because of the extremely long interstimulus intervals involved
continuous reinforcement
Situation in which every correct response is followed by reinforcement.
continuum of preparedness
Seligman's proposal that animals are biologically prepared to learn certain responses more readily than they are prepared to learn others.
cumulative response curve
Graphed curve that results when responses for a subject are added to one another over time; if subjects respond once every 5 minutes, they will have a cumulative response curve value of 12 after an hour.
escape conditioning
Learning situation in which a subject is presented with an aversive stimulus from which he or she must escape.
extinction
The elimination of behavior by, in classical conditioning, the withholding of the US, and in operant conditioning, the withholding of the reinforcement.
fixed interval (FI) schedule
Schedule of reinforcement where the subject receives reinforcement for a correct response given after a specified time interval.
fixed ratio (FR) schedule
Schedule of reinforcement in which the subject is reinforced after a certain number of responses.
imprinting
A form of early learning in which birds follow a moving stimulus (often the mother); may be similar to attachment in mammals.
instinctive drift
The process of learned behavior moving over time toward more innate responses.
instrumental conditioning
Operant conditioning.
interstimulus interval
Time interval between two stimuli; in classical conditioning, it is the elapsed time between the CS and the US.
latent learning
Learning that occurs when an individual acquires knowledge of something but does not show it until motivated to do so.
law of effect
Thorndike's law that if a response produces satisfaction it will be repeated; reinforcement.
learning
The relatively permanent change in behavior or behavioral ability of an individual that occurs as a result of experience.
negative reinforcement
Removing something unpleasant from a subject to increase the probability that the preceding behavior will be repeated.
neutral stimulus
A stimulus that does not cause the response of interest; the individual may show some response to the stimulus but not the associated behavior.
observational learning
In social learning theory, learning by observing someone else behave; people observe and imitate in learning socialization.
operant conditioning
Form of learning in which behavior followed by reinforcement (satisfaction) increases in frequency.
partial reinforcement
Any schedule of reinforcement in which reinforcement follows only some of the correct responses.
partial reinforcement extinction effect
The finding that partial reinforcement produces a response that takes longer to extinguish than continuous reinforcement.
positive reinforcement
Presenting a subject something pleasant to increase the probability that the preceding behavior will be repeated.
Premack Principle
Principle that states that, of any two responses, the one that is more likely to occur can be used to reinforce the response that is less likely to occur.
primary reinforcement
Reinforcement that is effective without having been associated with other reinforcers; sometimes called unconditioned reinforcement.
punishment
Any event that decreases the likelihood that the behavior preceding it will be repeated.
reinforcement
Any event that increases the probability that the behavior that precedes it will be repeated; also called a reinforcer; similar to a reward.
secondary reinforcement
Reinforcement that is effective only after it has been associated with a primary reinforcer; also called conditioned reinforcement.
shaping
In operant conditioning, the gradual process of reinforcing behaviors that get closer to some final desired behavior. Shaping is also called successive approximation.
Skinner box
B. F. Skinner's animal cage with a lever that triggers reinforcement for a subject.
spontaneous recovery
In conditioning, reappearance of behavior that had disappeared during extinction.
stimulus discrimination
Responding to relevant stimuli.
stimulus generalization
Responding to stimuli similar to the stimulus that had caused the response.
successive approximation
Shaping; in operant conditioning, the gradual process of reinforcing behaviors that get closer to some final desired behavior.
trial and error learning
Trying various behaviors in a situation until the solution is found.
unconditioned response (UR)
An automatic reaction elicited by a stimulus.
unconditioned stimulus (US)
Any stimulus that elicits an automatic or reflexive reaction in an individual; it does not have to be learned in the present situation.
variable interval (VI) schedule
Schedule of reinforcement in which the subject is reinforced for the first response given after a certain time interval, with the interval being different for each trial.
variable ratio (VR) schedule
Schedule of reinforcement in which the subject is given reinforcement after a varying number of responses; the number of responses required for reinforcement is different for every trial.