Conditioning Basics
This type of learning links two or more stimuli to anticipate events, usually involving involuntary behaviors (like salivation or fear).
Classical Conditioning
In Pavlov’s original experiment, food served as this type of stimulus because it naturally triggered salivation without prior training.
Unconditioned Stimulus (US or UCS)
Any consequence that increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated is called this.
Reinforcer (or Reinforcement)
Playing a slot machine pays out after an unpredictable number of pulls. This operates on what schedule of reinforcement?
Variable-Ratio Schedule
Fast-food commercials pair appetizing food visuals with cheerful music so you feel hungry when you see their logo. This relies on which conditioning process?
Classical Conditioning
Unlike classical conditioning, this form of learning associates voluntary behaviors with consequences like rewards or punishments.
Operant Conditioning
Little Albert was conditioned to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise. In this experiment, the white rat is the ________ stimulus, and the noise is the ________ stimulus.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS) and Unconditioned Stimulus (US)
Taking an aspirin to eliminate a severe headache is an example of this specific type of reinforcement.
Negative Reinforcement
Getting paid every two weeks on Friday regardless of how many tasks you complete each day is an example of this schedule.
Fixed-Interval Schedule
A teacher uses a system where students earn physical tokens for good behavior, which can later be traded in for prizes. What operant application is this?
Token Economy
In classical conditioning, this term refers to the initial stage when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.
Acquisition
If a bell is rung repeatedly without food, the dog stops salivating. However, after a rest period, the dog salivates again when it hears the bell. This temporary reappearance is known as what?
Spontaneous Recovery
Teaching a dog to flip a light switch by first rewarding it for looking at the switch, then stepping toward it, then touching it, is a process called this.
Shaping (or Successive Approximation)
Which type of schedule creates the highest resistance to extinction: Continuous Reinforcement or Intermittent (Partial) Reinforcement?
Intermittent (or Partial) Reinforcement
A therapist treats a spider phobia by teaching a client deep breathing exercises while gradually exposing them to spiders step-by-step. What is this technique called?
Systematic Desensitization (or Counterconditioning)