04. Operant Conditioning

Question 1

Define operant conditioning.

Answer 1

-Operant conditioning forms an association between a behaviour and a consequence.
-A type of learning in which future behaviour is determined by the consequences of past behaviour.

Question 2

Define reinforcement.

Answer 2

Takes place when a behaviour is followed by an event and this increases the probability of that behaviour being repeated.

Question 3

Define positive reinforcement.

Answer 3

Occurs when something nice is introduced to the individual following a behaviour, increasing the probability of that behaviour being repeated.

Question 4

Define negative reinforcement.

Answer 4

Occurs when something unpleasant is removed from the individual following a behaviour, increasing the probability of that behaviour being repeated.

Question 5

Define punishment.

Answer 5

Takes place when an event follows a behaviour and this decreases the probability will be repeated.

Question 6

Define primary reinforcement.

Answer 6

Takes place when the thing that acts as a reinforcer has biological significance, such as food.

Question 7

Define secondary reinforcement.

Answer 7

Takes place when the thing that acts as a reinforcer has become associated with something of biological significance, such as money which is associated with being able to buy food.

Question 8

Define continuous reinforcement.

Answer 8

When the behaviour is reinforced every single time it is completed.

(Leads to rapid changes in behaviour but the effects do not last).

Question 9

Define partial reinforcement.

Answer 9

When the behaviour is rewarded at various times rather than after every single time the behaviour is exhibited.

(There are several types of partial reinforcement: fixed and variable ratio, or fixed and variable interval reinforcement schedules).

Question 10

Define interval reinforcement schedules.

Answer 10

Rewarded after a time interval as elapsed. This can be fixed or variable.

Question 11

Define fixed-interval schedule.

Answer 11

An exact amount of time passes between each reinforcement.

Eg:
-On 28th day of every month a reward is given for having a clean room regardless of how many times it was cleaned.
-Getting your pay check every 2 weeks.

Question 12

Define variable-interval schedule.

Answer 12

A varying amount of time passes between each reinforcement.

Eg:
-Reward is given for having a clean room, the day the reward is given is unknown and changes all the time.

Question 13

Define ratio schedules.

Answer 13

Number of times the behaviour is seen.

(This can be fixed ratio or variable ratio).

Question 14

Define fixed ratio.

Answer 14

Reinforcement occurs after a fixed number of responses.

Eg:
-Every 5th question the students answers correctly a reward is given.
-Getting one free meal after the purchase of 10.
-Losing your driver’s license after 5 violations.

Question 15

Define variable ratio.

Answer 15

Reinforcement occurs after a varying number of responses.

Eg:
-Playing the lottery.
-The number of shots to score a goal in a soccer game.

Question 16

Define positive punishment.

Answer 16

Occurs when something unpleasant is introduced to the individual following a behaviour, decreasing the probability of that behaviour being repeated.

Question 17

Define negative punishment.

Answer 17

Occurs when something nice is removed from an individual following a behaviour, decreasing the probability of that behaviour being repeated.

Question 18

Describe Thorndike’s Law of Effect.

Answer 18

If the effect of learning is good then the behaviour will be repeated.

Question 19

Describe Skinner’s ABC model of Operant Conditioning?

(The Skinner Box was essentially a box that would dispense food and electric shocks to animals, such as rats or pigeons, to observe how learning works).

Answer 19

A: The Skinner box would present a stimulus (light/noise) that triggered a behaviour (animal pressing or pecking a lever).

B: A response made by the animal that can be observed (measured) as an outcome of the antecedent.

C: The reward/punishment (food pellet/mild electric shock) followed the behaviour.

Question 20

How is operant conditioning similar to classical conditioning?

Answer 20

They both show how we learn to behave through the environment. For example, CC states we build associations between a neutral stimuli and unconditioned response, which is based on a reflex action but OC explains that consequences shapes our actions, whether they are positive or negative. Both showing external circumstances shaping our behaviour,