Learning is a change in behavior that endures over time.
There are 3 components that govern learning:
- Antecedent (SD = Discriminative Stimuli)– a stimulus that occurs prior to a response. Examples include: an instruction, an activity, an event, a setting, an object, a person.
- Behavior (R= Response) – any response that is observable and measurable. It includes action(s) that create a given response. Examples include: sitting quietly, following a direction, engaging in aggression.
- Consequence (Reinforcement or Punishment) – anything that follows behavior and alters the probability of future occurrences of that behavior. Examples include: tangible items, social praise, ignoring a response, time out, verbal reprimand.
Three-Term Contingency:
antecedent behavior consequence
A —————————- B ——————————– C
discriminative stimulus response reinforcement/punishment
Sd ————————— R ——————————– SR, SP, N
(discriminative stimulus = instruction) (SR = reinforcement)
(SP = punishment)
(N = neutral)
Example:
A —————————— B —————————— C
yellow block Sam labels the color “yellow” praise from the teacher
In this example, the behavior of labeling the color “yellow” is likely to be repeated because verbal praise usually functions as a reinforcer for Sam.
**Behavior must be observable and measurable. Therefore, it is described in terms of specific actions (i.e., cries, throws toys, sits quietly, etc.) rather than in terms of emotions (i.e., happy, scared, depressed, anxious, etc.).**
