L3 - Operant Conditioning Flashcards Preview

Approaches > L3 - Operant Conditioning > Flashcards

Flashcards in L3 - Operant Conditioning Deck (10)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Define operant conditioning

A

Form of learning through consequences of actions, including positive/negative reinforcement and punishment

2
Q

Define positive reinforcement

A

Receiving an award for carrying out a behaviour, encouraging the performance of that behaviour

3
Q

Define negative reinforcement

A

Receiving so,ethnically unpleasant as a result of performing a behaviour, discouraging the performance of that behaviour

4
Q

Define punishment

A

An unpleasant consequence of a certain behaviour

Usually results in negative reinforcement

5
Q

How was the Skinner box set up?

A

Rat in a box

Levers, door, floor which could be electrified

6
Q

What was positive reinforcement in the Skinner box?

A

Press lever, get a food pellet

Rat continued to press to get reward

7
Q

What was negative reinforcement in the Skinner box?

A

Press level = floor electrified = electric shock

Rat learnt not to press lever to avoid shock

8
Q

Advantage of operant conditioning?

A

Used as token economy in prisons and hospitals

Research found schizophrenics involved in token economy had behaviour become more appropriate

9
Q

Disadvantage related to ethics?

A

Psychological harm
Rat was deliberately hurt through shocks
Affects physical health

10
Q

Disadvantage of operant conditioning?

A

Problems with generalising
Used non-human rats and pigeons
Physiological differences
We have influences they don’t