#1
What is reinforcement in behavioral psychology?
Strengthening a response
ExplanationStrengthening a behavior by providing a consequence.
#2
What is the term for the process of gradually reducing the frequency of a reinforced behavior?
Extinction
ExplanationDiminishing a behavior by no longer reinforcing it.
#3
What is the term for a stimulus that does not initially elicit a response, but comes to do so after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus?
Conditioned stimulus
ExplanationInitially neutral, gains response-triggering capability.
#4
What is the concept of operant conditioning?
Learning through consequences of behavior.
ExplanationBehavior learned through consequences.
#5
Which type of reinforcement involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to strengthen a behavior?
Negative reinforcement
ExplanationStrengthening behavior by removing an aversive stimulus.
#6
In operant conditioning, what is a primary reinforcer?
A naturally reinforcing stimulus
ExplanationIntrinsically rewarding stimuli without prior learning.
#7
Which schedule of reinforcement is characterized by reinforcing a behavior after a fixed number of responses?
Fixed Ratio
ExplanationReinforcing after a consistent number of responses.
#8
In classical conditioning, what is the unconditioned response (UCR)?
A response elicited by an unconditioned stimulus
ExplanationAutomatic response to an unlearned stimulus.
#9
In the context of reinforcement schedules, what is a variable ratio schedule?
Reinforcing a behavior after a variable number of responses.
ExplanationVaried number of responses required for reinforcement.
#10
What is the concept of stimulus generalization?
Responding the same way to different stimuli.
ExplanationApplying learned response to similar stimuli.
#11
In the context of operant conditioning, what is a discriminative stimulus?
A stimulus that signals the presence of reinforcement.
ExplanationIndicates when a behavior will be reinforced.
#12
In the context of behavior modification, what is a token economy?
A system where tokens are given for desired behaviors and can be exchanged for rewards.
ExplanationReward system using exchangeable tokens.
#13
In the context of classical conditioning, what is the conditioned response (CR)?
The learned response to a conditioned stimulus.
ExplanationAcquired response to a conditioned stimulus.
#14
What is the purpose of a variable interval reinforcement schedule?
Reinforcing a behavior after a variable time interval.
ExplanationVaried time intervals between reinforcements.
#15
What is the concept of stimulus discrimination in classical conditioning?
Responding differently to similar stimuli.
ExplanationDistinguishing between similar stimuli and responding accordingly.
#16
In classical conditioning, what is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?
A stimulus that initially elicits a response without prior learning.
ExplanationNaturally triggers a response without prior conditioning.
#17
In behaviorism, what is the concept of habituation?
The process of becoming less responsive to a repeated stimulus.
ExplanationDecreasing responsiveness to a repeated stimulus.
#18
What is shaping in the context of behaviorism?
Gradually strengthening a behavior through reinforcement
ExplanationReinforcing closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.
#19
What is the Premack principle in reinforcement?
Reinforcing a low-probability behavior with a high-probability behavior
ExplanationUsing a preferred activity to reinforce a less-preferred one.
#20
According to the Law of Effect, who formulated the principle that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened, while behaviors followed by negative outcomes are weakened?
Edward Thorndike
ExplanationBehavior consequences shape future behavior.
#21
What is the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement adds a stimulus to increase a behavior, while negative reinforcement removes a stimulus to increase a behavior.
ExplanationAdding or removing to strengthen behavior.
#22
What is the purpose of using extinction in behavior modification?
To weaken a behavior by removing reinforcement.
ExplanationReducing behavior by eliminating reinforcement.
#23
What is the concept of spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?
The sudden emergence of a conditioned response after a period of extinction.
ExplanationReappearance of a learned response after extinction.
#24
According to B.F. Skinner, what is a reinforcement contingency?
A rule specifying the conditions under which a response will be reinforced.
ExplanationConditions determining when a response is reinforced.
#25
What is the term for the process of reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior?
Shaping
ExplanationReinforcing steps leading to the desired behavior.