Approaches to learning: Operant Conditioing Flashcards
(21 cards)
Operant Conditioning
a learning process whereby the consequences of a behaviour (rewards and punishments) determines the likelihood that it will be performed again in the future. There are three phases.
Operant
any response (or set response) that acts on the environment to produce some kind of respsosne.
Positive and negative consequences
strengthen behaviour and kake it more likey to reoccur and adverse consequences weaken the behaviour and make it less likely to occur
The three phase model of operant condoitioning
- Antecdent (a): what happens before–> stimulus that occurs before the behaviour
2.Behaviour B: what happens–> occurs due to antecedent
- Consequences C: what happens after–> the consequences
definition of antecdent:
the environmental stimulus that precedes relevant behaviour and identifies consequences
definition of behaviour
voluntary activity that affects the environment
definition of consequence
the environmental event that follows the behaviour
–> occurs immediately after the relevant behaviour and has an effect on the occurrence if the behaviour.
Reinforcement/ reinforcers
process when a stimulus strengthens/ increases the frequency/likelihood of a response to that it follows.
reinforce
to strengthen/support an existing feeling, idea or habit
Positive reinforcement
presentation of positive reinforcers following a desired response
positive reinforcers and highschool grade example
stimulus that strengthens/ increases the likelihood/frequency of a desired response.
e.g a high score for an SAC is a positive reinforcer for a student who works hard, as is the thanking of a friend for doing you a favour.
Negative reinforcer
any unpleasant/averse stimulus that when removed/avoided strengthens the frequency/likelihood of a desired response.
Negative reinforcement
the removal of an unpleasant stimulus, thereby strengthening or making the desired response more likely to occur.
distinctions between negative and positive rienforcer
Negative reinforcer= are removed/avoided–> subtracting something pleasant
Positive Reinforcer= are given–> subtracting something unpleasant
Intent of both positive and negative Punishment
the intended effect on the punished behaviour is to weaken and prevent it from recurring
Punishment
delivery of an unpleasant consequence following a response/ the removal of a pleasant consequence following a response, to weaken a response or decrease the likelihood of it occurring again.
Positive punishment
presentation of an unpleasant stimulus that weakens/ decreases the likelihood of the response occurring again.
e.g having to run extra laps around the basketball court for being late to training
Negative punishment
removal/loss of a desirable stimulus thereby weakening/decreasing the likelihood of a person forming again.
e.gyour parents taking away your internet access for doing something wrong or a speeding receiving a speeding fine
Factors that influence the effectiveness of reinforcement and punishment: Order of presentation
to use the reinforcer and punisher effectively, its essential that it be PRESENTED AFTER A DESIRED RESPONSE, NEVER BEFORE.
Factors that influence the effectiveness of reinforcement and punishment: TIMING
more effective when given IMMEDIATELY after the response has occurred. This timing helps to ensure that the organism associates the response with the reinforcer or punisher., without interference from other factors during the time delay.
Factors that influence the effectiveness of reinforcement and punishment: APPROPRIATENESS
Inappropriate punishment can result in the reinforcement of behaviour.
