Chapter 9: Behaviorist Views of Learning Flashcards
behaviorism
Theoretical perspective in which learning and behavior are described and explained in terms of stimulus-response relationships.
stimulus
specific object or event that influences an individual’s learning or behavior
response
Specific behavior that an individual exhibits
conditioning
Term commonly used by behaviorists for learning; typically involves specific environmental events leading to the acquisition of specific responses.
continguity
Occurrence of two or more events (e.g., two stimuli, or a stimulus and a response) at approximately the same time.
classical conditioning
Form of learning in which a new, involuntary response is acquired as a result of two stimuli being presented close together in time
unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
Stimulus that already elicits a particular response in a situation at hand
unconditioned response (UCR)
Response that is already elicited by a particular response in the situation at hand
neutral stimulus
Stimulus that does not presently elicit any particular response
conditioned stimulus (CS)
Stimulus that, through classical conditioning, begins to elicit a particular response as a result of being experienced in conjunction with another (unconditioned stimulus
conditioned response (CR)
Response that begins to be elicited by a particular (conditioned) stimulus before classical learning.
generalization
Phenomenon in which a person learns a response to a particular stimulus and then makes the same response to a similar stimulus. In classical conditioning, it involves making a conditioned response to a stimulus similar to a conditioned stimulus); in instrumental conditioning, it involves making a voluntary response to a stimulus that is similar to one previously associated with a response-reinforcement contingency.
extinction
Gradual disappearance of an acquired response. In classical conditioning, it results from repeated presentation of a conditioned stimulus in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus; in instrumental conditioning, it results from repeated lack of reinforcement
instrumental conditioning
Learning process in which a response either increases or decreases as a result of being followed by either reinforcement or punishment, respectively
reinforcers
Consequence (stimulus) of a response that increases the frequency of the the response that follows
reinforcement
the act of following a response with a reinforcer
punishment
Consequence (stimulus) that decreases the frequency of the response it follows
operant conditioning
Learning process in which a response increases as a result of being followed by reinforcement; is one form of instrumental conditioning
contingency
Situation in which one event happens only after another event has occurred; one event is contingent on the other’s occurrence.
primary reinforcers
Consequence that satisfies a biologically or psychologically built-in need.
secondary reinforcer
Consequence that becomes reinforcing over time through its association with another reinforcer
positive reinforcement
Consequence that brings about the increase of a behavior through the presentation (rather that the removal) of the stimulus.
Premack principle
Phenomenon in which learners do less-preferred activities in order to engage in more preferred activities.
extrinsic reinforcers
Reinforcer that comes from the outside environment rather than from within the learner.
intrinsic reinforcers
Reinforcer that is provided by the learner or inherent in the task being performed.
negative reinforcement
Consequence that brings about the increase of a behavior through the removal (rather than the presentation) of a stimulus
delay of gratification
Ability to forego small, immediate reinforcers in order to obtain larger ones later on.
presentation punishment
Punishment involving the presentation of a new stimulus, presumably one a learner finds unpleasant
removal punishment
Punishment involving withdrawal of an existing stimulus, presumably one a learner doesn’t want to lose
response cost
Loss either of a previously earned reinforcer or of an opportunity of obtain reinforcement.
logical consequence
Unpleasant consequence that follows naturally or logically from a student’s misbehavior
positive-practice over correction
Consequence of a poorly formed response in which the learner must repeat the response correctly and appropriately, perhaps in an exaggerated manner.
time-out
Consequence for misbehavior in which a learner cannot interact with others and has no opportunity to receive the kinds of reinforcement to which classmates have access
in-school suspension
Consequence for misbehavior in which a student is placed in a quiet, boring room within the school building, typically to do school work under close adult supervision.
psychological punishment
Consequence that seriously threatens self-esteem and general psychological well-being
terminal behaviors
Form and frequency of a desired response that a teacher or therapist hopes to foster through reinforcement
token economy
Technique in which desired behaviors are reinforced by small, insignificant items (tokens) that learners can use to “purchase” a variety of other, more desirable reinforcers
contingency contract
Formal agreement between a teacher and a student identifies behaviors students will exhibit and the reinforcers that will follow.
baseline
Frequency of a response before it is intentionally and systematically reinforced.
continuous reinforcement
Reinforcement of a response every time it occurs.
intermittent reinforcement
Reinforcement of a response only occasionally, with some occurrences of the response not being reinforcement.
shaping
Process of reinforcing successively closer and closer approximations to a desired terminal behavior
antecedent stimuli
Stimulus that influences the probability that a particular response will follow
antecedent response
Response that influences the probability that certain other response will follow.
cueing
Use of a verbal or nonverbal signal to indicate that a certain behavior is desired or that a certain behavior should stop.
setting event
Complex environment condition that is likely to evoke certain voluntary behaviors.
discrimination
Phenomenon in which a student learns that a response is reinforced in the presence of one stimulus but not in the presence of another similar stimulus.
behavioral momentum
Increased tendency for a learner to make a particular response immediately after making similar responses.
incompatible behaviors
Two or more behaviors that cannot be performed simultaneously
induction
Explanation of why a certain behavior is unacceptable, often with a focus on the pain or distress that someone has caused another
applied behavior analysis (ABA)
Systemic application of behaviorist principles in educational and therapeutic settings
target behaviors
Specific, concrete response that a teacher or a therapist wants to either increase of decrease by means of systematic intervention
functional analysis
Examination of inappropriate behavior and its antecedents and consequences to determine one or more purposes (functions) that the behavior might serve for the learner
positive behavioral interactions and supports (PBIS)
Variation of traditional applied behavior analysis that involves identifying the purposes of undesirable behaviors and encouraging alternative behaviors that more appropriately accomplish those purposes.
schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports
Systematic use of behaviorist principles to encourage and reinforce productive behaviors in all students; typically involves multiple layers of support in order to accommodate the varying needs and behavior patterns of different students
