Intro to Psychology (PSYC101): Module 20: Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning is a learning process where behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on consequences like reinforcers or punishers. The Law of Effect explains that behaviors followed by positive outcomes increase in likelihood, often studied using devices like the operant chamber (Skinner box).
Operant Conditioning
A type of learning in which a behavior becomes more likely to recur if followed by a reinforcer or less likely to recur if followed by a punisher.
Key Terms
Operant Conditioning
A type of learning in which a behavior becomes more likely to recur if followed by a reinforcer or less likely to recur if followed by a punisher.<...
Law of Effect
Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences...
Operant Chamber
In operant conditioning research, a chamber (Skinner box) containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforce...
Reinforcement
In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows.
Shaping
An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.
Positive Reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers (any stimulus that, when presented after the response, strengthens it).
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Operant Conditioning | A type of learning in which a behavior becomes more likely to recur if followed by a reinforcer or less likely to recur if followed by a punisher. |
Law of Effect | Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely. |
Operant Chamber | In operant conditioning research, a chamber (Skinner box) containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, attached devices record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking. |
Reinforcement | In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows. |
Shaping | An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior. |
Positive Reinforcement | Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers (any stimulus that, when presented after the response, strengthens it). |
Negative Reinforcement | Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing aversive stimuli. (Negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens it). This is NOT punishment. |
Primary Reinforcer | An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need. |
Conditioned Reinforcer | A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer. |
Positive Punishment | Administration of an aversive stimulus. Ex. Spray water on a barking dog. |
Negative Punishment | Withdrawing a rewarding stimulus. Ex: take away misbehaving teen’s driving privileges. |
Reinforcement Schedule | A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced. |
Continuous Reinforcement Schedule | Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs. |
Partial (intermittent) reinforcement | Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response, but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement. |
Fixed-ratio schedule | In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses. |
Variable-ratio schedule | In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses. |
Fixed-interval schedule | In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed. |
Variable-interval schedule | In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals. |
“Little Albert” Study | John Watson demonstrated classical conditioning in this experiment. Baby Albert, a previously unafraid baby, was conditioned to become afraid of a rat. Watson would make a loud bang when presenting the rat, until Albert was fearful of the rat, even without the noise present. |