DP1.2 Operant Conditioning Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is learning?
A relatively permanent change in behaviour as the result of experience
Learning can be long-term but may also be subject to loss due to various factors like lack of repetition or cognitive decline.
What indicates that learning has occurred?
Performance = learning
This can be observed through changes in behaviour or the presence of new behaviours.
What are the two main types of conditioning in behaviourist approaches?
Classical conditioning and operant conditioning
Each has distinct phases and processes that contribute to learning.
What is classical conditioning?
A three-phase process that results in the involuntary association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response
This was demonstrated by Pavlov’s experiments with dogs.
What is operant conditioning?
A three-phase process involving antecedent, behaviour, and consequence
It focuses on the voluntary behaviour that is controlled by its consequences.
What is the law of effect?
The principle that an organism will tend to repeat behaviour which has a desirable consequence and not repeat behaviour with an undesirable consequence
This principle underlies operant conditioning.
Define reinforcer.
Any stimulus that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a response
Reinforcers can be positive or negative.
What is a positive reinforcer?
A reward that strengthens a response by providing a pleasant or satisfying consequence
Examples include praise or treats.
What is a negative reinforcer?
Strengthening a response through the removal, reduction, or prevention of an unpleasant stimulus
This encourages the repetition of behaviour to avoid discomfort.
Define punisher.
Any stimulus that weakens or decreases the likelihood of a response
Punishment can be positive or negative.
What is positive punishment?
Giving an undesired stimulus to prevent undesired behaviour from occurring again in the future
An example is spanking a child.
What is negative punishment?
Removing an undesired stimulus to prevent undesired behaviour from occurring again in the future
This is often referred to as response cost.
What are the three key elements of operant conditioning?
Antecedent, behaviour, and consequence
These elements help explain why behaviour occurs in specific scenarios.
Fill in the blank: In operant conditioning, reinforcement ______ behaviour.
increases
Fill in the blank: In operant conditioning, punishment ______ behaviour.
decreases
What is the Skinner Box?
An experimental setup used by B.F. Skinner to test operant conditioning with rats
Rats learned to press a lever to receive food, demonstrating reinforcement.
What happens when a student answers a question correctly and receives praise?
Positive consequence leads to increased likelihood of participation in the future
This is an example of positive reinforcement.
What is the outcome when a child touches a hot stove?
Negative consequence leads to decreased likelihood of touching the stove again
The pain serves as a deterrent.
What is the consequence of taking an aspirin for a headache?
Positive consequence leads to increased likelihood of taking aspirin again
The relief from pain reinforces the behaviour.
Identify the type of consequence: A teenager loses phone privileges for staying out past curfew.
Negative punishment
This consequence aims to reduce the undesired behaviour of staying out late.
