Conditioning Basics
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement Schedules
Real-World Applications
100

This type of learning links two or more stimuli to anticipate events, usually involving involuntary behaviors (like salivation or fear).

Classical Conditioning

100

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)

100

Any consequence that increases the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated is called this.

Reinforcer (or Reinforcement)

100

Playing a slot machine pays out after an unpredictable number of pulls. This operates on what schedule of reinforcement?

Variable-Ratio Schedule

100

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

200

Unlike classical conditioning, this form of learning associates voluntary behaviors with consequences like rewards or punishments.

Operant Conditioning

200

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)

200

Taking an aspirin to eliminate a severe headache is an example of this specific type of reinforcement.

Negative Reinforcement

200

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

200

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

300

In classical conditioning, this term refers to the initial stage when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus.

Acquisition

300

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

300

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)

300

Which type of schedule creates the highest resistance to extinction: Continuous Reinforcement or Intermittent (Partial) Reinforcement?

Intermittent (or Partial) Reinforcement 

300

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)