Chapter 10

Question 1

avoidance

Answer 1

An instrumental conditioning procedure in which the participant’s behavior prevents the delivery of an aversive stimulus.

Question 2

avoidance trial

Answer 2

A trial in a discriminated avoidance procedure in which an avoidance response is made and prevents the delivery of the aversive stimulus.

Question 3

discriminated avoidance

Answer 3

An avoidance conditioning procedure in which occurrences of the aversive stimulus are signaled by a CS. Responding during the CS terminates the CS and prevents the delivery of the aversive US. Also called signaled avoidance

Question 4

escape trial

Answer 4

A trial during discriminated avoidance training in which the required avoidance response is not made and the aversive US is presented. Performance of the
instrumental response during the aversive stimulus results in termination of the aversive stimulus. Thus, the organism is able to escape from the aversive stimulus.

Question 5

escape from fear (EFF) procedure

Answer 5

Situation in which subjects learn an instrumental response to escape from or terminate a conditioned stimulus that elicits fear. Escape from fear is predicted by the two-process theory of avoidance and provides a coping mechanism for individuals suffering from excessive fear.

Question 6

flooding

Answer 6

A procedure for extinguishing avoidance behavior in which the CS is presented while the participant is prevented from making the avoidance response.

Question 7

free-operant avoidance

Answer 7

same as nondiscriminated avoidance

Question 8

nondiscriminated avoidance

Answer 8

An avoidance conditioning procedure in which occurrences of the aversive stimulus are not signaled by an external stimulus. The aversive stimulus is presented periodically, as set by the S–S interval. Each occurrence of the avoidance response creates (or resets) a period of safety determined by the S–R interval during which the aversive stimulus is not presented. Also called free-operant avoidance; originally called Sidman avoidance.

Question 9

overcorrection

Answer 9

A procedure for discouraging behavior in which the participant is not only required to correct or rectify a mistake but is also required to go beyond that by, for example, extensively practicing the correct response alternative.

Question 10

predatory imminence

Answer 10

The perceived likelihood of being attacked by a predator. Different species-typical defense responses occur with different degrees of predatory imminence.

Question 11

punishment

Answer 11

An instrumental conditioning procedure in which there is a positive contingency between the instrumental response and an aversive stimulus. If the participant performs the instrumental response, it receives the aversive stimulus; if the participant does not perform the instrumental response, it does not receive the aversive stimulus. Punishment typically suppresses instrumental behavior.

Question 12

R-S interval

Answer 12

The interval between the occurrence of an avoidance response and the next scheduled presentation of the aversive stimulus in a nondiscriminated avoidance procedure. Thus, the R–S interval sets the duration of safety created by each avoidance response in a nondiscriminated avoidance procedure.

Question 13

response blocking

Answer 13

Blocking the opportunity to make the avoidance response so that the subject is exposed to a fear stimulus without being able to escape from it. Usually used in connection with flooding.

Question 14

safety signal

Answer 14

a stimulus that signals the absence of an aversive event

Question 15

shock-frequency reduction

Answer 15

a hypothesis according to which reduction in the frequency of shock serves to reinforce avoidance behavior

Question 16

shuttle avoidance

Answer 16

A type of avoidance conditioning procedure in which the required instrumental response consists of going back and forth (shuttling) between two sides of an experimental apparatus on successive trials.

Question 17

signaled avoidance

Answer 17

same as discriminated avoidance

Question 18

species-specific defense reactions (SSDRs)

Answer 18

Species-typical responses animals perform in an aversive situation. the responses may involve freezing, fleeing, or fighting

Question 19

S-S interval

Answer 19

The interval between successive presentations of the aversive stimulus in a nondiscriminated avoidance procedure when the avoidance response is not performed.

Question 20

time out

Answer 20

A period during which the opportunity to obtain positive reinforcement is removed. This may involve removal of the participant from the situation where reinforcers are available.

Question 21

two-process theory of avoidance

Answer 21

A theory originally developed to explain discriminated avoidance learning that presumes the operation of two mechanisms: classical conditioning of fear to the warning signal or CS and instrumental reinforcement of the avoidance response through termination of the warning signal and consequent fearreduction.