Behavior Psychology Concepts

Associative learning – learning that certain events occur together

classical conditioning – type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli

acquisition – the initial stage in classical conditioning; phase associating a neutral stimulus with an UCS (unconditioned stimulus) so that the neutral stimulus elicits a CR (conditioned response); in operant conditioning, strengthening of a reinforced response

extinction – diminishing response to CS (conditioned stimulus)

spontaneous recovery – reappearance of a CR after a rest pause; suggests extinction is suppression not elimination

generalization – tendency to respond similarly to similar stimuli

discrimination – learned ability to distinguish between similar stimuli

observational learning – learning by observing others

prosocial behavior – positive, constructive, helpful behavior; opposite of antisocial

modeling – process of observing and imitating a specific behavior

operant conditioning – association between behavior and consequences

law of effect – rewarded behavior is likely to recur

reinforcer – positively or negatively reinforces behavior

shaping – reinforcers gradually guide an organism’s actions toward a desired behavior

positive reinforcement – a tangible reward, praise, attention, yelling at them – increases the behavior

negative reinforcement – decreases behavior, takes something away

primary reinforcer – innately satisfying; no learning required

secondary reinforcer – (conditioned) learned

continuous reinforcement – desired response is reinforced every time it occurs

partial reinforcement – (intermittent) responses sometimes reinforced, sometimes not

latent learning – learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it

overjustification effect – the effect of promising a reward for doing what one already likes to do. The person may now see the reward, rather than intrinsic interest, as the motivation for performing the task

intrinsic motivation – a desire to perform a behavior for its own sake and to be effective

extrinsic motivation – a desire to perform a behavior due to promised rewards or threats of punishment