Behavior Basics
Theory that certain genes are selected based on their consequences in a given environment.
Natural selection
Natural phenomena have natural causes
Determinism
A relation between a stimulus and a simple response to that stimulus.
Reflex
Behavior is a function of its consequences
Law of Effect
A change in behavior as a result of experience
Learning
The simplest explanation that fits the data is best
Parsimony
When the US is repeatedly presented, the strength of the UR decreases
Habituation
Type of consequence in which a stimulus is removed and the probability of the behavior increases
Negative reinforcement
Reflexes, modal action patterns, and general behavior traits
Unlearned behaviors
Co-variation, time-order relation, and ruling out alternative explanations
Response that is elicited by a conditioned stimulus
Conditioned response
Behavior that is reinforced by preventing a stimulus from being encountered
Avoidance
Attributing the cause of a behavior to an organism's internal state rather than the environment
Organism-based explanation (circular reasoning)
Experimental design in which each subject serves as its own control and receives the IV
Small-n or single-subject design
3 processes that prevent a stimulus from becoming a CS even when paired with a US
Latent inhibition (CS pre-exposure), blocking, overshadowing
Type of consequence in which a stimulus is added and the probability of the behavior decreases
Positive punishment
Debate about whether behavior is a function of individual experience or genetics
Nature-nurture
Baseline logic or demonstration of experimental control
3 processes by which a stimulus comes to elicit a CR despite NEVER being paired with a US
Respondent generalization, higher-order conditioning, and sensory pre-conditioning
Relationship between response and consequence
Operant contingency