adjunctive behavior

relatively unvaried behavior that occurs following, but is otherwise unrelated to, regular delivery of a reinforcer in operant or instrumental conditioning. It differs from simple respondent behavior in that the likelihood of its occurrence is influenced by the time between stimulus presentations. An example is schedule-induced polydipsia, in which excessive drinking of water occurs when small portions of food are delivered intermittently. Compare terminal behavior.

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Psychology term of the day

November 23rd 2024

opinion leader

an individual to whom others turn for advice or on whom others model their behavior. To be effective, the opinion leader needs to have social ties with other members of the group.