Operant conditioning Flashcards
What is reinforcement?
Any event that follows a responses and strengthens the probability of that response repeating itself
What is a reinforcer?
Anything that follows a response and strengthens it or increases the probability that it will occur again
What is a primary reinforcer?
It fulfills a basic need for survival
What is a secondary reinforcer?
A reinforcer that is acquired or learned through association with primary reinforcers
What is positive reinforcement?
Any pleasant or desirable consequence that follows a response and increases the probability that the response will be repeated.
What is negative reinforcement/
The termination of an unpleasant condition after a response to increase the probability that the response will be repeated
What is continuous reinforcement ?
Reinforcement given after every desired or correct response
What is partial reinforcement?
A pattern of reinforcement in which some but not all correct responses are reinforced
What is the fixed-ratio schedule?
In this schedule, a reinforcer is given after a fixed number of correct responses/behaviours
What is a fixed-interval schedule?
A reinforcer is given after a fixed time interval
What is a variable-ratio schedule?
A schedule in which the number of responses that has to occur before reinforcement can vary
What is variable interval schedule ?
Interval within which reinforcement is given for a correct response can vary
What is stimulus generalization?
Tendency for similar stimulus to elicit the same response
What is stimulus discrimination?
The tendency for responses to occur more often in the presence of one stimulus than others
What is extinction?
Weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response as a result of withholding reinforcement
