Operant conditioning
This Scientist studied the “normal psychology of animals” by using puzzle boxes where animals could escape for food.
Edward Thorndike
This theory states that an event is reinforcing to the extent that it is associated with reduction in physiological drive.
Drive-reduction theory
When the decrease in reinforcement rate on one schedule increases the rate of another schedule
Positive contrast effect
When response prevents an aversive stimulus from occurring (before the stimulus)
Avoidance
On average it takes this long to develop a new habit
66 days
The idea that behavior is a function of consequences.
The law of effect.
According to this principle high probability behavior can be used to reinforce low probability behavior.
Premack Principle
Reappearance during extinction of other behaviors that had once been effective in obtaining reinforcement
Resurgence
This well known theory of avoidance includes both classical & operant conditioning
Two process theory of avoidance
This evidence based treatment is used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Exposure & Response Prevention Therapy (ERP)
In operant conditioning consequences that strengthen a behavior are called _____. Conversely consequences that weaken a behavior are called ______.
Reinforcers/ Punishers
Stable response patterns that emerge after considerable exposure to a schedule.
Steady-state behaviors
Presence of ________ ________ reliably affects probability of a behavior
discriminative stimulus
In contrast to escape and avoidance which are negative reinforcements designed to strengthen a behavior, ________ weakens a behavior through the application of an aversive stimulus or the removal of an appetitive stimulus
Punishment
Removal of a specific reinforcer (e.g. points, privileges or money) after problem behavior occurs.
Response Cost
When a respondents freely engages in a response for food/reward at any rate.
Free operant procedure.
FR4
FR4 indicates a fixed ratio schedule where reinforcement occurs after 4 reductions of behavior
Thorndike’s cats learned to escape a puzzle box, then escaped similar boxes. The idea that similar stimuli generate a stronger response is called...
Generalization gradient
The two step process where a rat moves between two compartments of a box learning to escape and then avoid an aversive stimuli.
Shuttle Avoidance Procedure
The tendency to persist on difficult tasks because persistence has been reinforced in the past. The example of author Stephen King illustrates this concept. Despite numerous rejections early in his writing career, eventual reinforcement of his efforts encouraged continued persistence and productivity.
Learned Industriousness
A reinforcer that
1. Does not depend on another reinforcer for its reinforcing qualities
2. Appears innately effective
3. Is unconditioned (does not depend on learning)
Primary reinforcer
A child is asked to clean their room. Their parent checks on them every 15 minutes and gives encouragement if the child is still cleaning.
Variable Interval schedule (VI)
After discrimination training, the generalization _____ will often shift from the SD to a stimulus further removed from S∆
peak
A reduction in learning ability after repeated exposure to uncontrollable aversive events often described as "a tendency to give up"
Learned helplessness
During early learning levels of this neurotransmitter appear high for reinforcement. Level then decrease as learning continues. But don't be discouraged, unexpected rewards can increase the production of this specific neurotransmitter.
Dopamine