Module 17: Operant Conditioning Flashcards
(22 cards)
operant conditioning
a type of learning in which the frequency of the behavior depends on the consequence that follows that behavior
Edward Thorndike
author of the law of effect, which forms the basis of operant conditioning
law of effect
behaviors with favorable consequences will occur more frequently and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences will occur less frequently
B.F. Skinner
American psychologist who developed the fundamental principles and techniques of operant conditioning
reinforcement
any consequence that increases the future likelihood of a behavior
punishment
any consequence that decreases the future likelihood of a behavior
positive reinforcement
anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior by following it with a desirable event or state
negative reinforcement
anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior by following it with the removal of an undesirable event or state
primary reinforcement
something that is naturally reinforcing, such as food, warmth, and water
secondary reinforcement
something you have learned is rewarding because it has been paired with a primary reinforcer
shaping
reinforcement of behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired one; the operant technique used to establish new behaviors
discrimination
the ability to distinguish among similar signals or stimuli
extinction
the loss of a learned response when a consequence no longer follows it
continuous reinforcement
a reward follows every correct reponse
partial reinforcement schedule
a reward only follows some correct responses
fixed-interval schedule
rewards only the first correct response after some defined period
variable interval schedule
rewards the first correct response after an unpredictable amount of time
fixed-ratio schedule
rewards a response only after some defined number of correct responses
variable ratio schedule
rewards after an unpredictable number of correct responses
latent learning
learning that occurs but is not apparent until the learner has an incentive to demonstrate it
cognitive map
the mental representation of a place
overjustification effect
promising a reward for doing what one already likes to do; the reward may lessen and replace the person’s original natural motivation so that the behavior stops if the reward is eliminated
