Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction01:24

Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction

868
Generalization, discrimination, and extinction are key concepts in operant conditioning that influence how behaviors are learned and maintained.
Generalization occurs when a behavior reinforced in one context is performed in similar situations. For instance, a student who studies diligently for calculus and receives excellent grades might apply the same study habits to psychology and history, expecting similar results. Generalization shows how learning in one setting can influence behavior in...
868

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Latency and persistence of renewal in an intensive outpatient clinic.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2026
Same author

Recommendations and guidance for enhancing systematic reviews of single-case experimental design research.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2026
Same author

Additivity of resurgence and spontaneous recovery.

Learning & behavior·2026
Same author

Renewal of challenging behavior in an intensive outpatient clinic: Replication and extension to task changes.

Journal of applied behavior analysis·2026
Same author

An EEG dataset with carbon wire loops in cognitive tasks and resting state inside and outside MR scanners.

Scientific data·2026
Same author

Multiple-context training mitigates renewal during differential reinforcement.

Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats
08:30

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats

Published on: February 15, 2015

21.1K

Assessing human performance during contingency changes and extinction tests in reversal-learning tasks.

Carolyn M Ritchey1, Shawn P Gilroy2, Toshikazu Kuroda3,4

  • 1Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849-5214, USA.

Learning & Behavior
|February 3, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Humans adapt to changing rules using distinct strategies like win-stay/lose-shift or counting. Environmental uncertainty favors win-stay/lose-shift, influencing decision-making and response patterns.

Keywords:
Button pressHumansReinforcementResurgenceReversal learningTouchscreen

More Related Videos

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm
07:26

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm

Published on: May 4, 2020

3.5K
Extinction Training During the Reconsolidation Window Prevents Recovery of Fear
11:17

Extinction Training During the Reconsolidation Window Prevents Recovery of Fear

Published on: August 24, 2012

35.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats
08:30

Operant Procedures for Assessing Behavioral Flexibility in Rats

Published on: February 15, 2015

21.1K
Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm
07:26

Assessment of Stress Effects on Cognitive Flexibility using an Operant Strategy Shifting Paradigm

Published on: May 4, 2020

3.5K
Extinction Training During the Reconsolidation Window Prevents Recovery of Fear
11:17

Extinction Training During the Reconsolidation Window Prevents Recovery of Fear

Published on: August 24, 2012

35.7K

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Behavioral Science
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Reversal learning investigates adaptive behavior in changing environments.
  • Understanding how humans adjust to shifting reinforcement is crucial for behavioral science.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine human serial reversal learning under midsession and variable contingency reversals.
  • To evaluate the impact of extinction on reversal learning and response strategies.
  • To compare win-stay/lose-shift and counting strategies in human reversal learning.

Main Methods:

  • Two experiments involving serial reversal learning with human participants.
  • Manipulation of midsession and variable contingency reversals.
  • Inclusion of extinction trials and analysis of response strategies (win-stay/lose-shift vs. counting).

Main Results:

  • Human responding effectively tracked contingency reversals.
  • Participants predominantly employed either win-stay/lose-shift or counting strategies.
  • Variable reversals led to exclusive win-stay/lose-shift responding and eliminated trial counting.
  • Extinction trials induced response resurgence, consistent with a win-stay/lose-shift pattern.

Conclusions:

  • Human reversal learning adapts to environmental certainty, favoring specific decision-making strategies.
  • The win-stay/lose-shift strategy is robust, particularly in uncertain or changing environments.
  • Findings extend previous research on win-stay/lose-shift patterns and highlight strategy shifts based on environmental predictability.