What is the process by which recent experiences increase the accessibility of a schema called?

The process by which recent experiences increase the accessibility of a schema is referred to as priming. Priming occurs when exposure to a stimulus influences the response to a subsequent stimulus, without conscious guidance. In the context of social psychology, this means that when a person encounters certain information or experiences that relate to a specific schema (like a stereotype or a concept), it can make that schema more readily available for influencing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in future situations.

For example, if someone recently read an article about the importance of teamwork, they might be more likely to notice and recall instances of cooperation among their peers when in a group project. This heightened awareness is a result of priming, thereby showcasing how recent experiences shape cognitive frameworks.

The other options—association, conditioning, and reinforcement—relate to different psychological concepts. Association involves forming connections between two unrelated concepts or stimuli, while conditioning usually refers to learning processes where responses are directly linked to particular stimuli. Reinforcement refers to the process of strengthening behaviors through rewards or punishments, which is distinct from how schemas can be activated by recent experiences.