Learning

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Operant Conditioning

Back 1

A form of behavioral learning in which the probability of a response is changed by its consequences-that is, by the stimuli that follow the response.

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Law of Effect

Back 2

The idea that responses that produced desirable results would be learned, or "stamped" into the organism

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Reinforcer

Back 3

A condition, involving either the presentation or removal of a stimulus, that occurs after a response and strengthens that response.

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Positive Reinforcement

Back 4

A stimulus presented after a response and increasing the probability of that response happening again.

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Negative Reinforcement

Back 5

The removal of an unpleasant or aversive stimulus, contingent on a particular behavior.

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Operant Chamber

Back 6

A boxlike apparatus that can be programmed to deliver reinforcers and punishes contingent on an animal's behavior. The operant chamber is often called a "Skinner Box".

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Reinforcement Contingencies

Back 7

Relationships between a response and the changes in stimulation that follow the response.

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Continuous Reinforcement

Back 8

A type of reinforcement schedule by which all correct responses are reinforced.

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Shaping

Back 9

An operant learning technique in which a new behavior is produced by reinforcing responses that are similar to the desired response.

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Intermittent Reinforcement

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A type of reinforcement schedule by which some, but not all, correct responses are reinforced; also called partial reinforcement.

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Extinction

Back 11

(in operant conditioning) A process by which a response that has been learned is weakened by the absence or removal of reinforcement.

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Schedule of Reinforcement

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A program specifying the frequency and timing of reinforcements.

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Ratio Schedule

Back 13

A program by which reinforcement depends on the number of correct responses.

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Interval Schedule

Back 14

A program by which reinforcement depends on the time interval elapsed since the last reinforcement.

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Fixed Ratio (FR) Schedule

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A program by which reinforcement is contingent on a certain, unvarying number of responses.

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Variable Ratio (VR) Schedule

Back 16

A reinforcement program by which the number of responses required for a reinforcement varies from trial to trial.

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Fixed Interval Schedule

Back 17

A program by which reinforcement is contingent upon a certain , fixed time period.

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Variable Interval (VI) Schedule

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A program by which the time period between reinforcements varies from trial to trial.

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Primary Reinforcer

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A reinforcer, such as food or sex, that has an innate basis because of its biological value to an organism.

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Conditioned Reinforcer

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A stimulus, such as money or tokens, that acquires its reinforcing power by a learned association with primary reinforcers.

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Instinctive Drift

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The tendency of an organism's innate (instinctive) responses to interfere with learned behavior.

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Token Economy

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A therapeutic method, based on operant conditioning, by which individuals are rewarded with tokens, which act as secondary reinforcers. The tokens can be redeemed for a variety of rewards and privileges.

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Premack Principle

Back 23

The concept, developed by David Premack, that a more-preferred activity can be used to reinforce a less-preferred activity.

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Punishment

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An aversive consequence which, occurring after a response, diminishes the strength of that response.

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Positive Punishment

Back 25

The application of an aversive stimulus after a response.

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Negative Punishment

Back 26

The removal of an attractive stimulus after a response.