Module 17 Vocabulary

operant conditioning

• A type of learning in which the frequency of a behavior depends on the consequence that follows the behavior.

• A method of teaching that involves repetition and memorization.

• A psychological theory that focuses on the unconscious mind.

• A learning process that occurs through observation and imitation.

extinction

• The loss of a behavior when no consequence follows it.

• The process of adapting to a new environment.

• The increase in a behavior due to reinforcement.

• The gradual decline of a species over time.

positive reinforcement

• Anything that decreases the likelihood of a behavior by following it with an undesirable event or state.

• Anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior by following it with a desirable event or state.

• A method of punishment that discourages unwanted behavior.

• A technique used to ignore certain behaviors in order to reduce their occurrence.

shaping

• Reinforcement of behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired one; the operant technique used to establish new behaviors.

• A method of punishment to decrease unwanted behaviors.

• A technique used to reinforce only the final desired behavior without any intermediate steps.

• A strategy for ignoring behaviors to make them disappear.

variable-ratio schedule

• A reinforcement schedule that rewards after a fixed number of correct responses.

• A partial reinforcement schedule that rewards after an unpredictable number of correct responses.

• A schedule that provides reinforcement after every correct response.

• A schedule that does not provide any reinforcement.

continuous reinforcement

• Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

• Reinforcing the desired response only occasionally.

• Reinforcing the desired response after a fixed number of occurrences.

• Reinforcing the desired response based on the time elapsed.

variable-interval schedule

• A reinforcement schedule that rewards the first correct response after a fixed amount of time.

• A partial reinforcement schedule that rewards the first correct response after an unpredictable amount of time.

• A schedule that provides reinforcement after a set number of responses.

• A schedule that rewards every correct response immediately.

primary reinforcement

• Something that is naturally reinforcing, such as food, warmth, and water.

• A type of reinforcement that is learned through experience.

• A reinforcement that is given after a behavior is performed.

• A reinforcement that is used to punish undesirable behavior.

fixed-ratio schedule

• A schedule that rewards a response after a variable number of correct responses.

• A partial reinforcement schedule that rewards a response only after some defined number of correct responses.

• A schedule that provides reinforcement after every correct response.

• A schedule that rewards a response based on the time elapsed since the last reinforcement.

reinforcement

• Any consequence that increases the future likelihood of a behavior.

• A method to decrease the frequency of a behavior.

• A type of punishment that discourages behavior.

• A reward given for completing a task.