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learning  A relatively permanent change in behavior brought about by experience (Module 15)
neutral stimulus  A stimulus that, before conditioning, does not naturally bring about the response of interest (Module 15)
spontaneous recovery  The re-emergence of an extinguished conditioned response after a period of rest (Module 15)
stimulus discrimination  The ability to differentiate between stimuli (Module 15)
stimulus generalization  Response to a stimulus that is similar to but different from a conditioned stimulus; the more similar the two stimuli, the more likely generalization is to occur (Module 15)
unconditioned response (UCR)  A response that is natural and needs no training (e.g., salivation at the smell of food) (Module 15)
unconditioned stimulus (UCS)  A stimulus that brings about a response without having been learned (Module 15)
classical conditioning  A type of learning in which a neutral stimulus comes to bring about a response after it is paired with a stimulus that naturally brings about that response (Module 15)
conditioned response (CR)  A response that, after conditioning, follows a previously neutral stimulus (e.g., salivation at the ringing of a bell) (Module 15)
conditioned stimulus (CS)  A once-neutral stimulus that has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus to bringabout a response formerly caused only by the unconditioned stimulus (Module 15)
extinction  One of the basic phenomena of learning that occurs when a previously conditioned response decreases in frequency and eventually disappears (Module 15)
fixed-interval schedule  A schedule that provides reinforcement for a response only if a fixed time period has elapsed, making overall rates of response relatively low (Module 16)
fixed-ratio schedule  A schedule whereby reinforcement is given only after a certain number of responses are made (Module 16)
negative reinforcer  An unpleasant stimulus whose removal leads to an increase in the probability that a preceding response will occur again in the future (Module 16)
operant conditioning  Learning in which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened, depending on its favorable or unfavorable consequences (Module 16)
partial (or intermittent) reinforcement schedule  Behavior that is reinforced some but not all of the time (Module 16)
positive reinforcer  A stimulus added tothe environment that brings about an increase in a preceding response (Module 16)
punishment  A stimulus that decreases the probability that a previous behavior will occur again (Module 16)
reinforcement  The process by which a stimulus increases the probability that a preceding behavior will be repeated (Module 16)
reinforcer  Any stimulus that increases the probability that a preceding behavior will occur again (Module 16)
schedules of reinforcement  The frequency and timing of reinforcement following desired behavior (Module 16)
shaping  The process of teaching a complex behavior by rewarding closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior (Module 16)
variable-interval schedule  A schedule whereby the time between reinforcements varies around some average rather than being fixed (Module 16)
variable-ratio schedule  A schedule whereby reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses rather than after a fixed number (Module 16)
behavior modification  A formalized technique for promoting the frequency of desirable behaviors and decreasing the incidence of unwanted ones (Module 16)
continuous reinforcement schedule  Behavior that is reinforced every time it occurs (Module 16)
latent learning  Learning in which a new behavior is acquired but is not demonstrated until some incentive is provided for displaying it (Module 17)
observational learning  Learning through observing the behavior of another person called a mode(Module 17)
cognitive-social learning theory  The study of the thought processes that underlie learning (Module 17)







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