Vocabulary Flashcards
To assist students studying behavior in the educational setting to familiarize themselves with the new vocabulary associated with behavioral management strategies.
Negative Reinforcement
Contingent removal of an aversive stimulus following a response which increases future rate of the response.
Positive Punishment
Contingent application of an aversive stimulus following a response which decreases the future rate of the response.
Reinforcement
A stimulus change (the presentation or removal of a stimulus) contingent upon a response which increases the future probability of the response under similar circumstances in the future.
Consequence
Any stimulus presented or removed contingent on a particular response which changes the probability of that response occurring under similar circumstances in the future.
Contingent
When a behavioral consequence is presented if and only if the response occurs.
Antecedent
A stimulus which precedes a behavior.
X axis/Abscissa
The horizontal axis of a graph.
Positive Reinforcement
The contingent presentation of a stimulus immediately following a response which increases the future probability of the response.
Negative Punishment
Contingent removal of a stimulus following a response which decreases the future probability of that response.
Variable Interval Schedule
A reinforcement schedule where the first response to occur after a variable amount of time is reinforced.
Discriminative Stimulus (Sd)
Antecedents that “set the occasion” for behavior by signaling the availability of behavioral consequences.
Y-Axis/Ordinate
The vertical axis of a graph
Motivating Operation (MO)
Antecedent events that temporarily affect the value of a behavioral consequence.
Conditioned or Secondary Reinforcer
A stimulus that acquires it reinforcing function through paring with other reinforcers.
Behavior Analysis
The scientific field that studies the relationship between behavior and the environmental factors that control its occurrence.
Behavior/Response
Any observable and measurable act of an individual.
Stimulus
Any object or event which can be perceived through one’s senses (sight, hearing, smell etc.)
Stimulus Control
The outcome of stimulus discrimination training. A response is more likely to occur in the presence of a particular stimulus (Sd) than in its absence because the response has been reinforced only in the presences of the Sd.
Fixed Ratio Schedule
A reinforcement schedule where completion of a specified number of responses produces reinforcement.
Unconditioned (primary) Reinforcer
A stimulus that functions as a reinforcer without prior learning (because it has biological importance or is innately motivating).
Variable Ratio Schedule
The target response is reinforced after a variable number of correct responses.
Premack Principle
The arrangement where a high-probability activity occurs contingent on the occurrence of a low probability activity.
Extinction
The process by which, when a previously reinforced behavior is no longer followed by the reinforcing consequences, the frequency of the behavior decreases in the future.
Continuous Schedule of Reinforcement
A schedule of reinforcement where each occurrence of a response is reinforced.
