Final answer:
The linked series of actions that lead to reinforcement is defined as response chaining, which is an aspect of operant conditioning, a type of associative learning. Response chaining occurs when each action in a sequence leads to the next until a final response is reached and reinforced.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept that defines a linked series of actions that lead to reinforcement is known as response chaining. In the field of psychology, particularly in the area of learning theory, response chaining is a process where each action or signal triggers the next behavior in a sequence, leading eventually to a final conditioned response and a reinforcement. This is a form of operant conditioning, whereby an individual or animal learns to associate a series of actions with a positive or negative reinforcement.
Take for example a cat that has learned a sequence of actions: hearing footsteps might trigger a hiding behavior because it has learned through repetition that this action can lead to a positive outcome, such as safety or a treat, or avoidance of a negative outcome. This is a learned behavior rather than an innate behavior, which is present from birth.
In operant conditioning, a response like the cat's hiding behavior is associated with a consequence, which can include reinforcement or punishment. This type of conditioning focuses on modifying the behavior through the use of consequences, unlike classical conditioning which associates a neutral stimulus with an unlearned, automatic response.