Operant Conditioning
What is operant conditioning?
A behaviour followed by a reinforcing consequence, making it more likely to occur in similar situations.
Define reinforcement.
A process where a behaviour is followed by a consequence that strengthens it.
What is positive reinforcement?
Adding a pleasant stimulus after behaviour to strengthen it.
What are unconditioned reinforcers?
Natural reinforcers like food, water, and warmth.
What is continuous reinforcement?
Reinforcing behaviour every time it occurs.
Who is associated with operant conditioning?
B.F. Skinner.
What is a reinforcer?
A stimulus that strengthens an operant behaviour.
Give an example of positive reinforcement.
Giving a child a dollar for cleaning their room.
What are conditioned reinforcers?
Stimuli that become reinforcers through pairing with unconditioned ones (e.g., money).
What is a fixed schedule?
Reinforcing after a set number of responses.
What is an operant behaviour?
A behaviour strengthened through reinforcement.
Name two dimensions reinforcement can influence.
Frequency and duration of behaviour.
What is negative reinforcement?
Removing an aversive stimulus after behaviour to strengthen it.
Give an example of a conditioned reinforcer.
A clicker paired with food in animal training.
What is a variable schedule?
Reinforcing after an unpredictable number of responses.
Give an example of operant conditioning.
A dog sits and receives a treat, making sitting more likely in the future.
What is the difference between positive and negative reinforcement?
Positive adds a stimulus; negative removes an aversive stimulus.
Give an example of negative reinforcement.
Turning down loud music to escape noise.
Name two other reinforcement types.
Social and tangible reinforcers.
Which schedule is most resistant to extinction?
Variable schedule.
What role does reinforcement play in operant conditioning?
It strengthens the behaviour by providing a consequence.
What are the three questions to identify reinforcement type?
What is the behaviour? What happened after? Was behaviour strengthened?
How do escape and avoidance differ?
Escape ends an aversive stimulus; avoidance prevents it.
What factors influence reinforcement effectiveness?
Immediacy, consistency, magnitude, motivation, and individual differences.
Why use intermittent reinforcement?
To maintain behaviour after it is learned.