a type of learning in which an organism comes to associate stimuli; a neutral stimulus that signals an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) begins to produce a response that anticipates and prepares for the unconditioned stimulus
operant behavior
behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences
respondent behavior
behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus; Skinner's term for behavior learned through classical conditioning
acquisition
the initial stage in classical conditioning; the phase associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus so that the neutral stimulus comes to elicit a conditioned response; in operant conditioning, the strengthening of a reinforced response
conditioned response (CR)
in classical conditioning, the learned response to a previously neutral conditioned stimulus (CS)
variable-interval schedule
in operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
intrinsic motivation
a desire to perform a behavior for its own sake and to be effective
continuous reinforcement
reinforcing that desired response every time it occurs
extinction
the diminishing of a conditioned response; occurs in classical conditioning when an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) does not follow a conditioned stimulus (CS); occurs in operant conditioning when a response is no longer reinforced
