Chapter 10

Front 1

ABA (own-control) research

Back 1

A skinnerian variant of the experimental method consisting of exposing one subject to three experimental phases: (A) a baseline period, (B) introduction of reinforcers to change the frequency of specific behaviors, and (A) withdrawal of reinforcement and observation of whether the behaviors return to their earlier frequency (baseline period).

Front 2

ABC assessment

Back 2

In behavioral assessment, an emphasis on the identification of antecedent (A) events and the consequences (C) of behavior, and (B) a functional analysis of behavior involving identification of the environmental conditions that regulate specific behaviors.

Front 3

Behavioral Assessment

Back 3

the emphasis in assessment on specific behaviors that are tied to defined situational characteristics (e.g., ABC approach).

Front 4

Behaviorism

Back 4

an approach within psychology, developed by Watson, that restricts investigation to overt, observable behavior.

Front 5

Classical Conditioning

Back 5

a process, emphasized by Pavlov, in which a previously neutral stimulus becomes capable of eliciting a response because of its association with a stimulus that automatically produces the same or similar response.

Front 6

conditional emotional reaction

Back 6

Watson and Rayner's term for the development of an emotional reaction to a previously neutral stimulus, as in Little Albert's fear of rats

Front 7

Discrimination

Back 7

In conditioning, the differential response to stimuli depending on whether they have been associated with pleasure, pain, or neutral events.

Front 8

Extinction

Back 8

In conditioning, the progressive weakening of the association between a stimulus and a response; in classical conditioning because the conditioned stimulus is no longer followed by the unconditioned stimulus; and in operant conditioning because the response is no longer followed by reinforcement

Front 9

Functional analysis

Back 9

In behavioral approaches, particularly Skinnerian, the identification of the environmental stimuli that control behavior

Front 10

Generalization

Back 10

in conditioning, the association of a response with stimuli similar to the stimulus to which the response was originally conditioned or attached.

Front 11

Generalized reinforcer

Back 11

In Skinner's operant conditioning theory, a reinforcer that provides access to many other reinforcers (e.g, money).

Front 12

Maladaptive response

Back 12

In the Skinnerian view of psychopathology, the learning of a response that is maladaptive or not considered acceptable by people in the environment

Front 13

Operant Conditioning

Back 13

Skinner's term for the process through which the characteristics of a response are determined by its consequences

Front 14

Operants

Back 14

In Skinner's theory, behaviors that appear (are emitted) without being specifically associated with any prior (eliciting) stimuli and are studied in relation to the reinforcing events that follow them.

Front 15

Reinforcer

Back 15

An event (stimulus) that follows a response and increases the probability of its occurence

Front 16

Sample approach

Back 16

Mischel's description of assessment approaches in which there is an interest in the behavior itself and its relation to environmental conditions, in contrast to sign approaches that infer personality from test behavior

Front 17

Schedule of reinforcement

Back 17

In skinner's operant conditioning theory, the rate and interval of reinforcement of responses (e.g., response ratio schedule and time intervals).

Front 18

Sign Approach

Back 18

Mischel's description of assessment approaches that infer personality from test behavior, in contrast with sample approaches to assessment.

Front 19

Situational specificity

Back 19

The emphasis on behavior as varying according to the situation, as opposed to the emphasis by trait theorists on consistency in behavior across situations.

Front 20

Successive Approximaton

Back 20

In Skinner's operant conditioning theory, the development of complex behaviors through the reinforcement of behaviors that increasingly resemble the final form of behavior to be produced.

Front 21

Systematic desensitization

Back 21

A technique in behavior therapy in which a competing response (relaxation) is conditioned to stimuli that previously aroused anxiety

Front 22

Target behaviors (target responses)

Back 22

In behavioral assessment, the identification of specific behaviors to be observed and measured in relation to changes in environmental events.

Front 23

Token economy

Back 23

Following Skinner's operant conditioning theory, an environment in which individuals are rewarded with tokens for desirable behaviors.