Learning: Key concept 2

Question 1

Extrinsic rewards

Answer 1

Pleasurable consequences of a behaviour that come from the external environment.

Question 2

Intrinsic rewards

Answer 2

Pleasurable consequences of a behaviour that come from within the individual.

Question 3

Motivation

Answer 3

The drive to behave in a way that achieves a goal of satisfies a need.

Question 4

Negative reinforcement

Answer 4

The reinforcer is the removal of an unpleasant stimulus, which makes the behaviour more likely to be repeated.

Question 5

Operant conditioning

Answer 5

A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences - reinforcement or punishment.

Question 6

Positive reinforcement

Answer 6

The reinforcer is a pleasant consequence of the behaviour, making the behaviour more likely to be repeated.

Question 7

Punishment

Answer 7

The consequence of a behaviour is unpleasant, making the behaviour more likely to be repeated.

Question 8

Reinforcement

Answer 8

A behaviour is followed by a consequence that increases the probability of the behaviour being repeated.

Question 9

Practical applications evaluation

Answer 9

Strength is that there are many practical applications of operant conditioning in education. For example, good work and behaviour are reinforced by extrinsic rewards such as praise or gold stars. Intrinsic rewards are encouraged to raise students self esteem, punishment is often used in schools and by parents to eliminate undesirable behaviour. This shows that operant conditioning has wide uses in the real world as well as theoretical importance.

Question 10

Research support evaluation

Answer 10

Strength is that operant conditioning is supported by both human and animal studies. For example, in lab experiments operant conditioning is demonstrated in various animal species. The findings reliably demonstrate how behaviour is influenced by reinforcement and punishment. Human studies have discovered brain areas and structures that are linked with reinforcement of behviour. Therefore, research supports the view that operant conditioning is a key form of learning in many animal and human behaviours.

Question 11

Incomplete explanation of learning evaluation

Answer 11

Weakness is that operant conditioning is not a full explanation of some learning. For example, it can explain how a phobia is maintained over time. However, this only explains how the existing behaviour is strengthened or weakened - but does not explain how the phobia first appears. This means operant conditioning is an incomplete theory that does not account for all behaviours.