What term describes a learning process where behavior is modified by reinforcement?

The term that describes a learning process where behavior is modified by reinforcement is conditioning. In the context of animal behavior, conditioning refers to the way that animals learn through the association between a stimulus and a response. This can take the form of operant conditioning, where behaviors are modified by the consequences that follow them, particularly through the use of rewards (reinforcements) or consequences (punishments).

For example, if a pet receives a treat when it sits on command, that positive reinforcement encourages the pet to repeat the behavior in the future. This process highlights how conditioning is fundamentally about the relationship between behavior and the outcomes that result from that behavior, ultimately shaping how animals respond to various cues in their environment.

Desensitization, while a relevant concept in behavior modification, specifically refers to reducing a pet’s fearful response to a stimulus through gradual exposure, rather than modifying behavior through reinforcement directly. The term CER stands for Conditioned Emotional Response, which relates to emotional reactions that are conditioned but does not encompass the broader concept of behavior modification through reinforcement. Gentle Control focuses on managing animal behavior in a compassionate manner but does not directly relate to the learning process defined by conditioning.