Classical conditioning
In classical conditioning, an unlearned, naturally occurring response to the unconditioned stimulus (US), such as salivation when food is in the mouth.
Unconditioned Response (UR)
In classical conditioning, the initial stage, when one links a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus begins triggering the conditioned response. In operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response
Acquisition
Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.
Positive Reinforcement
Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.
Learning by observing others. Also called social learning.
Observational Learning
In classical conditioning, a stimulus that unconditionally – naturally and automatically – triggers a response (UR).
Unconditioned Stimulus (US)
The diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (US) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced.
Extinction
Increases behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response.
Negative Reinforcement
Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.
Partial (intermittent) Reinforcement
The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.
Modeling
In classical conditioning, a learned response to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus (CS)
Conditioned Response (CR)
The reappearance, after a pause, of an extinguished conditioned response.
Spontaneous Recovery
Administer an aversive stimulus in order to decrease behavior.
Positive punishment
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specific number of responses.
Fixed-Ratio Schedule
Frontal lobe neurons that some scientists believe fire when performing certain actions or when observing another doing so. The brain’s mirroring of another’s action may enable imitation and empathy.
Mirror Neurons
In classical conditioning, an originally irrelevant stimulus that, after association with an unconditioned stimulus (US), comes to trigger a conditioned response (CR).
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
The tendency, once a response has been conditioned, for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit similar responses.
Generalization
Withdraw a rewarding stimulus in order to decrease behavior
Negative punishment
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.
Variable-Ratio Schedule
In classical conditioning, a stimulus that elicits no response before conditioning.
Neutral Stimulus
In classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.
Discrimination
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.
Variable-Interval Schedule