The addition of something unpleasant following an unwanted behavior, with the intention of decreasing that behavior.

Process by which an organism learns to associate a voluntary behavior with its consequences.

A previously neutral stimulus that an organism learns to associate with an unconditioned stimulus.

The removal of an unpleasant stimulus following a target behavior, which increases the likelihood of it occurring again.

A reflexive, involuntary response to an unconditioned stimulus.

A schedule of reinforcement in which every target behavior is reinforced.

A schedule in which the subject must exhibit a predetermined number of desired behaviors before a reinforcer is given.

The application of a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior recurring.

With repeated pairings of a conditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus, the second neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus as well.

A stimulus that automatically triggers an involuntary response without any learning needed.

Learning process in which two stimuli become associated with each other; when an originally neutral stimulus is conditioned to elicit an involuntary response.

A schedule in which the reinforcer comes after a preestablished interval of time goes by; the behavior is only reinforced after the given interval is over.

The tendency for stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus to elicit the conditioned response.

A form of classical conditioning that occurs when an organism learns to associate the taste of a particular food or drink with illness.

In classical conditioning, the process by which the CR decreases after repeated exposure to the CS in the absence of the US; in operant conditioning, the disappearance of a learned behavior through the removal of its reinforcer.

A learned response to a conditioned stimulus.

Learning that occurs when voluntary actions become associated with their consequences.

The degree to which a trait or behavior helps an organism survive.

Reinforcers that do not satisfy biological needs but often gain their power through their association with primary reinforcers.

The scientific study of observable behavior.

A schedule in which the reinforcer comes after an interval of time goes by, but the length of the interval changes from trial to trial.

A basic form of learning evident when an organism does not respond as strongly or as often to an event following multiple exposures to it.

Actions that are kind, generous, and beneficial to others.

The tendency for animals to revert to instinctual behaviors after a behavior pattern has been learned.

The initial learning phase in both classical and operant conditioning.

The mental representation of the layout of a physical space.

Learning that occurs as a result of watching the behavior of others.

Consequences, such as events or objects, that increase the likelihood of a behavior reoccurring.

A reinforcer that satisfies a biological need, such as food, water, physical contact; innate reinforcer.

The tendency for animals to be predisposed or inclined to form associations.

The tendency for behaviors acquired through intermittent reinforcement to be more resistant to extinction than those acquired through continuous reinforcement.

An event or occurrence that generally leads to a response.

Thorndike’s principle stating that behaviors are more likely to be repeated when followed by pleasurable outcomes, and those followed by something unpleasant are less likely to be repeated.

A stimulus that does not cause a relevant automatic or reflexive response.

A schedule in which the number of desired behaviors that must occur before a reinforcer is given changes across trials and is based on an average number of behaviors to be reinforced.

A method of shaping that uses reinforcers to condition a series of small steps that gradually approach the target behavior.

A schedule of reinforcement in which target behaviors are reinforced intermittently, not continuously.

Learning that occurs without awareness and regardless of reinforcement, and is not evident until needed.

The individual or character whose behavior is being imitated.

A relatively enduring change in behavior or thinking that results from experiences.

An emotional reaction acquired through classical conditioning; process by which an emotional reaction becomes associated with a previously neutral stimulus.

The ability to differentiate between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli sufficiently different from it.

The use of reinforcers to guide behavior to the acquisition of a desired, complex behavior.

The removal of something desirable following an unwanted behavior, with the intention of decreasing that behavior.

The reappearance of a conditioned response following its extinction.

The process by which reinforcers are added or presented following a targeted behavior, increasing the likelihood of it occurring again.