Chapter 6

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavior that results from experience.

Partial reinforcement schedule

A schedule of reinforcement in which correct responses are followed by reinforcers only part of the time.

Continuous reinforcement schedule

A schedule of reinforcement in which every correct response is followed by a reinforcer.

Social learning theory

A theory that contends that people learn social behaviors mainly through observation and cognitive processing of information.

Classical conditioning

A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus acquires the capacity to elicit a response after being paired with another stimulus that naturally elicits that response.

Fixed-interval reinforcement schedule

A partial reinforcement schedule that reinforces the first response after a fixed time interval has elapsed.

Variable-interval reinforcement schedule

A partial reinforcement schedule that reinforces the first response after a variable time interval has elapsed.

Law of effect

A basic principle of learning that states that behavior becomes more or less likely based on the effect it has in producing desirable or undesirable consequences.

Superstitious behavior

A behavior learned simply because it happened to be followed by a reinforcer, even through this behavior was not the cause of the reinforcer.

Higher-order conditioning

A classical conditioning procedure in which a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus after being paired with an existing conditioned stimulus.

Fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule

A partial reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after a specified number of nonreinforced responses.

Variable-ratio reinforcement schedule

A partial reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after a variable number of nonreinforced responses.

Operant conditioning

A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by reinforcement and weakened if followed by punishment.

Reinforcer

Any stimulus or event that increases the likelihood that the behavior preceding it will be repeated.

Conditioned stimulus

In classical conditioning, a previously neutral stimulus that, after repeated pairings with an unconditioned stimulus, comes to elicit a conditioned response.

Unconditioned response (UCR)

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that naturally and automatically elicits an unconditioned response.

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that naturally and automatically elicits an unconditioned response.

Extinction

In classical conditioning, the gradual weakening and disappearance of the conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without being paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned response (CR)

In classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus discrimination

In classical conditioning, the tendency for a conditioned response not to be elicited by stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Stimulus generalization

In classical conditioning, the tendency for a conditioned response to be elicited by stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus.

Shaping

In operant conditioning, the process of teaching a new behavior by reinforcing closer and closer approximations to the desired behavior; also known as the method of successive approximation.

Observational learning

Learning a behavior by observing and imitating the behavior of others (models)

Latent learning

Learning that occurs without apparent reinforcement and is not demonstrated until sufficient reinforcement is provided.

Instinctive drift

Species-specific behavior patterns that interfere with operant conditioning.

Primary reinforcers

Stimuli that are innately reinforcing because they satisfy some biological need.

Secondary reinforcers

Stimuli that are learned and become reinforcing by being associated with primary reinforcers.

Positive reinforcers

Stimuli that strengthen a response by presenting a positive stimulus after a response.

Negative reinforcer

Stimuli that strengthen a response by removing an aversive or unpleasant stimulus after a response.

Positive punishers

Stimuli that weaken a response by presenting an aversive stimulus after a response.

Negative punishers

Stimuli that weaken a response by removing a positive stimulus after a response.

Acquisition

The initial stage of classical conditioning, during which a previously neutral stimulus begins to acquire the ability to elicit a conditioned response.

Learned helplessness

The passive resignation produced by repeated exposure to aversive events that cannot be avoided.

Punishment

The process by which a stimulus decreases the probability of the behavior that it follows.

Reinforcement

The process by which a stimulus increases the probability of the behavior that it follows.

Spontaneous recovery

The reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of nonexposure to the conditioned stimulus.