Thorndike
The first experimental studies of operant conditioning were undertaken by
Edwin Thorndike
Is a class of emitted responses that result in certain consequences
Operant behavior
Consequences that strengthen a behavior
reinforcers
involves presenting a pleasant or rewarding stimulus after a response, leading to an increase in future strength.
positive reinforcement
In a typical experiment, a hungry cat was enclosed in a puzzle box and a dish of food was placed outside the box. To reach the food, the cat had to learn how to escape from the box by stepping on a treadle that opened the gate. This experiment was known as?
Thorndike puzzle box
Is a type of learning in which the future probability of a behavior is affected by its consequences.
Operant conditioning
consequences that weaken a behavior
punishers
involves removing unpleasant or aversive stimuli after a response, increasing its future strength
negative reinforcement
States that behaviors leading to a satisfying state of affairs are strengthened or “ stamped in, ” while behaviors leading to an unsatisfying or annoying state of affairs are weakened or “ stamped out.”
Law of effect
The operant conditioning process can be conceptualized as involving three components:
1. A response that produces a certain consequence
2.The consequence that serves to either increase or decrease the probability of the response that preceded it
3.Discriminative stimulus that precedes the response and signals that a certain consequence is now available
An event is a reinforcer if it
1. follows a behavior
2. the future probability of that behavior increases.
An example would be arguing with your boss and losing your job
Negative punishment