USEFUL TERMS 3RD COURSE
Behaviorism: It is a psychological approach that focuses on studying observable behaviors and
explains them through environmental factors and learning, often through conditioning. It
emphasizes the relationship between stimuli and responses, and historically, it sought to exclude
internal mental processes like thoughts and feelings from scientific study. A key goal is to
explain behavior scientifically by analyzing the effects of the environment, including both
rewards (reinforcement) and punishments.
Cognition: All forms of knowing and awareness, such as perceiving, conceiving, remembering,
reasoning, judging, imagining, and problem solving. Along with affect and conation, it is one of
the three traditionally identified components of mind. An individual percept, idea, memory, or
the like.
Premack’s principle: the view that the opportunity to engage in behavior with a relatively
high baseline probability will reinforce behavior of lower baseline probability. For example, a
hungry rat may have a high probability of eating but a lower probability of pressing a lever.
Making the opportunity to eat depend on pressing the lever will result in reinforcement of lever
pressing. Also called Premack’s rule. [David Premack (1925– ), U.S. psychologist]
Divisions: APA’s 54 divisions are interest groups organized by members. Some represent
subdisciplines of psychology (e.g., experimental, social or clinical) while others focus on topical
areas such as aging, ethnic minorities or trauma.
Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO): A procedure in which reinforcement is
provided if a particular response does not occur for a fixed period of time. It is used to decrease
the rate of the targeted response. Also called omission training. A common example of
differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) is reinforcing a student for raising their
hand to ask for help, instead of calling out or getting out of their seat without permission . The
teacher withholds reinforcement for the disruptive behavior (calling out) and provides positive
reinforcement (e.g., attention, praise) for the appropriate alternative behavior (raising a hand), as
both serve the function of getting the teacher's attention
Token economy: An APA token economy is a system of behavioral modification, based
on operant conditioning, where individuals earn tokens for exhibiting specific target behaviors.
These tokens can then be exchanged for back-up reinforcers, such as privileges or rewards. The
system helps bridge the gap between a behavior and a later reward by providing an immediate,
symbolic reinforcer (the token).
Validity: the degree to which empirical evidence and theoretical rationales support the adequacy
and appropriateness of conclusions drawn from some form of assessment. Validity has multiple
forms, depending on the research question and on the particular type of inference being made.
Reliability is the consistency of a measure, meaning it produces the same results when repeated
under the same conditions
Behavior analysis: the detailed analysis of a behavior to identify contingencies that sustain the
behavior.
Operant conditioning: the process in which behavioral change (i.e., learning) occurs as a
function of the consequences of behavior. Examples are teaching a dog to do tricks and
rewarding behavioral change in a misbehaving child (see behavior therapy). The term is
essentially equivalent to instrumental conditioning. Also called operant learning. See behavior
modification; shaping. [first described by B. F. Skinner]
Schema: a collection of basic knowledge about a concept or entity that serves as a guide to
perception, interpretation, imagination, or problem solving. For example, the schema “dorm
room” suggests that a bed and a desk are probably part of the scene, that a microwave oven
might or might not be, and that expensive Persian rugs probably will not be. Also
called cognitive schema. See also frame; perceptual schema.
FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS EXAMPLE -Non included in the midterm exams
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