Term | Definition |
Omnibus Term | Cover various functions of stimuli;
used to categorize stimuli that have
multiple functions. |
Aversive Stimulus | Its presentation evokes behavior that
terminates it.
Its onset weakens behavior that
precedes its onset.
Its offset strengthens behavior that
precedes its offset.
It may elicit smooth muscle and gland
responses. |
Appetitive Stimulus | Its onset strengthens behavior that
precedes its onset.
Its offset weakens behavior that
precedes its offset.
It abates behavior that removes it.
It may elicit smooth muscle and gland
responses. |
Behavior Chain | A sequence of responses in which
each response produces a
stimulus change that functions as
conditioned reinforcement for that
response and as a discriminative
stimulus for the next response in
the chain. |
Chained Schedule | A schedule of reinforcement in
which the response requirements
of two or more basic schedules
must be met in a specific
sequence before reinforcement is
delivered. |
Induction | The spread of the effects of
reinforcement to responses
outside the limits of an operant
class. |
Shaping | Differential reinforcement of successive approximations to a target behavior |
Shaping Across Topographies | The terminal target response is a
distinct topography – a different
response – than the response that
is currently occurring. |
Shaping Within Topographies | The terminal target response is
similar in form to the initial
response, but varies across some
dimension, such as rate or
duration. |
Parameters of Reinforcement | Magnitude
Quantity
Duration |
Schedules of Reinforcement | A schedule of reinforcement is the
rule which describes or specifies
which responses will be followed
by reinforcement and which will
not. |
Continuous Reinforcement | Each and every single response
that is emitted is reinforced; that
is, reinforcement occurs each and
every single time the behavior
occurs; used to establish or
strengthen behavior |
Intermittent Reinforcement | Some responses are reinforced
and some are not; used to
maintain already established
behavior. |
Ratio Schedule | Reinforcement is delivered after a
certain number of responses. |
Interval Schedule | Reinforcement is delivered for the
FIRST response after a certain
amount of time since the previous
reinforcement. |
Fixed Schedule | The number of responses, or
amount of time, remains the
same. |
Variable Schedule | The number of responses, or
amount of time, is random, but
centers around (i.e., averages out
to) a particular value. |
Limited Hold | A restriction placed on an interval
schedule requiring that the
response occur within a specified
time limit following the interval to
be eligible for reinforcement. |
FR Schedules | All or none schedules, as they
produce a pause in responding
immediately after reinforcement
which is followed by a burst of
responding. Pauses tend to be
longer the thinner the schedule. |
VR Schedules | Produce steady and high rates of
responding. |
Ratio Strain | A behavioral effect associated
with abrupt increases in ratio
requirements when moving from
denser to thinner reinforcement
schedules. |
FI Schedules | Scalloped; Produce a pause in
responding immediately after
reinforcement which is followed by
a gradual increase in the rate of
responding, with the highest rates
at the time closest to
reinforcement. |
VI Schedules | Produce steady, low to moderate
rates of responding. |
Time-based Schedules | A preferred stimulus is delivered
at a point in time without a
response requirement. |
Differential Reinforcement of High Rates of Responding (DRH) | Reinforcement occurs if and only
if the rate of response is equal to
or greater than a specified value. |
DRH-IRT | The contingency for reinforcement
is governed by the time elapsed
between successive responses
(as opposed to responses per unit
of time). |
Concurrent Schedules | Consists of two or more
schedules operating
simultaneously but independently
of each other, each for a different
response. |
Multiple Schedules | Consists of two or more
alternating schedules, each
associated with a different
stimulus. |
Mixed Schedules | The same as a multiple schedule
except that there are no different
stimuli associated with each
component schedule. |
Chained Schedules | A conditioned reinforcer is
produced by completion of the
response requirements for that
component schedule in the chain. |
Tandem Schedules | No discriminative stimuli in the
links of the chain. |
Behavioral Contrast | A change in one component of a
multiple schedule that increases
or decreases the rate of
responding on that component is
accompanied by a change in the
response rate in the opposite
direction on the other, unaltered
component of the schedule |
Matching Law | The allocation of responses to
choices available on concurrent
schedules of reinforcement. |