Vocabulary

Question 1

Alternate Response Training (ART)

Answer 1

A behavior modification strategy whereby an individual is trained to engage in one specific response or any one of several responses that interferes with or replaces another less desirable resposne

Question 2

Behavior

Answer 2

An observable or measurable response or act

Question 3

Behavioral aggression

Answer 3

Aggression caused by an animal’s reaction to stimuli in the environment

Question 4

Chain

Answer 4

2+ behaviors linked together as a single unit. The stimulus linking the behavior together serves as both a conditioned reinforcer, maintaining the topography and frequency of behaviors produced, and as the stimuli setting the occastion for the following behaviors.

Question 5

Classical conditioning

Answer 5

Type of learning in which a neutral (conditioned) stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus which automatically elicits a reflex response. After repeatedly following the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus, the conditioned stimulus alone will elicit a reflex response.

Question 6

Conditioned reinforcer

Answer 6

A previously neutral stimulus that has become reinforcing because of its association with basic, unconditioned reinforcers

Question 7

Conditioned response

Answer 7

In classical conditioning, a response that develops to the conditioned stimulus after a number of pairings of the conditioned stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus.

Question 8

Conditioned stimulus

Answer 8

In classical conditioning, a previously neutral stimulus that, through pairing with an unconditioned stimulus, acquired the ability to elicit a response similar to the original response to the unconditioned stimulus

Question 9

Desensitization

Answer 9

An attempt to eliminate phobias by pairing a positive reinforcer with the stimulus that was causing fear

Question 10

Differential reinforcement of alternate behavior (DRA)

Answer 10

delivery of a reinforcer following an appropriate response that serves that same function as the target response that is to be suppressed. Effect is to increase the frequency of the alternate response and to decrease the frequency of the undesired target response

Question 11

Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI)

Answer 11

delivery of a reinforcer following a response that is incompatible or competes with a target response that is to be suppressed. Effect is to increase the frequency of the incompatible response and to decrease the frequency of the undesired target response. All DRIs are types of DRAs, but not all DRAs are DRIs

Question 12

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO)

Answer 12

Delivery of a reinforcer after any response except the target response. Individual is reinforced only when not performing the target response. Effect of a DRO schedule is to decrease the target (unreinforced) response

Question 13

Discrimination

Answer 13

The ability, acquired through learning, to make disctinctions between stimuli that are similar but not exactly alike

Question 14

Discriminative stimulus

Answer 14

A stimulus whose presence elicits a conditioned response based on previous learning

Question 15

Duration

Answer 15

Amount of time that a behavior is performed

Question 16

Elicit

Answer 16

To automatically bring about a response. Respndent or reflex behaviors are elicited by unconditioned stimulus

Question 17

Enrichment

Answer 17

Stimuli and methods used as tools to increase interest in the environment, stimulate behaviors that more closely resemble those of a healthy, wild animal, and to decrease the frequency of stereotypical behaviors

Question 18

Extinction burst

Answer 18

• Increase in responses that is brought about by the withdrawal of reinforcemet
• Occur just prior to extinction

Question 19

Fading

Answer 19

Gradual removal of a discriminative stimulus, including prompts that may have helped develop the behavior. Fading can also refer to the gradual removal of reinforcement, as in the progressive thinning of a reinforcement schedule

Question 20

Frequency

Answer 20

The number of times that a response occurs

Question 21

Hormonal aggression

Answer 21

Aggression caused by fluctuations in an animal’s hormones

Question 22

Learning

Answer 22

A change in behavior as a result of past experiences

Question 23

least reinforcing scenario (LRS)

Answer 23

• Specific extinction technique based on a DRO
• Least change to the environment possible following an incorrect response at the same point where reinforcement would have been given
• Trainer’s response also functions as a stimulus for the animal to behave calmly and attentively

Question 24

Negative reinforcer

Answer 24

an increase in the frequency of a response in order to avoid the onset of, or to terminate, an aversive stimulus

Question 25

Observational learning

Answer 25

Type of learning in which the behavior of another organism is observed and imitated

Question 26

Operant behavior

Answer 26

Emitted behavior that is controlled by its consequences

Question 27

Operant conditioning

Answer 27

Type of learning in which behaviors are altered primarily by regulating the consequences which follow them. The frequency of operant behaviors is altered by the consequences which they produce

Question 28

Physcial duress

Answer 28

When an animal is experiencing discomfort due to illness, injury, or medical treatment

Question 29

Positive reinforcement

Answer 29

presentation of a reinforcer following the performance of a correct response, which increases the probability that the response will recur in the future

Question 30

Primary reinforcement

Answer 30

Reinforcing event that does not depend on learning to achieve its reinforcing properties - usually stimuli that satisfy biological drives such as hunger or thirst AKA unconditioned reinforcement

Question 31

Prompt

Answer 31

An antecedent event that helps initiate a response; a discriminative stimulus that occasions a response

Question 32

Reflex

Answer 32

An involuntary, spontaneous, and unlearned bodily response to a stimulus. The relationship between an eliciting stimulus and an elicited response such as the contraction of the pupil as a result of shining light on it

Question 33

Reinforcer

Answer 33

any stimulus that increases the probability of a response being emitted

Question 34

Respondent behavior

Answer 34

behavior that is elicited or automatically controlled by antecedent stimuli. Reflexes are respondent because their performance automatically follows certain stimuli

Question 35

Secondary reinforcer

Answer 35

A previously neutral stimulus that has become reinforcing because of its association with basic, unconditioned reinforcers

Question 36

Shaping

Answer 36

Operant conditioning technique for achieving a final behavior by reinforcing succesive approximations toward the terminal response

Question 37

Social aggression

Answer 37

Hostile behavior directed at something else in the environment as a result of territorial displacement (change in social rank, territory, additon of members, vulnerability to attack from others, and dominance/defense) or resource acquisition (food, breeding rights, or predatory behavior)

Question 38

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 38

Process whereby a conditioned response reappears after apparent extinction

Question 39

Stimulus

Answer 39

An external/internal object/event that may have an effect on behavior

Question 40

Successive approximation

Answer 40

Small changes in behavior in the direction of a terminal resoonse. such changes are reinforced during the process of shaping

Question 41

Topography

Answer 41

The detailed configuration of an individual behavior

Question 42

Unconditioned response

Answer 42

An innate response that is elicited by an unconditioned stimulus without prior learning. Any display of instinct is an unconditioned response