Operant conditioning

Question 1

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 1

Learning that occurs when a behaviour is followed by an event, and the nature of this event increases or decreases the probability of the behaviour being repeated

Question 2

What is reinforcement?

Answer 2

Takes place when a behaviour is followed by an event and this increases the probability of that behaviour being repeated

Question 3

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 3

Occurs when something nice is introduced to the individual following a behaviour, increasing the probability of that behaviour being repeated

Question 4

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 4

Occurs when something unpleasant is removed from the individual following a behaviour, increasing the probability of that behaviour being repeated.

Question 5

What is punishment?

Answer 5

Takes place when an event follows a behaviour and this decreases the probability that the behaviour will be repeated

Question 6

What is primary punishment?

Answer 6

Takes place when the thing that acts as a reinforcer has biological significance e.g. food

Question 7

What is secondary reinforcement?

Answer 7

Takes place when the thing that acts as a reinforcer has become associated with something of biological significance, such as money

Question 8

What is positive punishment?

Answer 8

Occurs when something unpleasant is introduced to the individual following a behaviour, decreasing the probability of that behaviour being repeated

Question 9

What is negative punishment?

Answer 9

Occurs when something pleasant is removed to the individual following a behaviour, decreasing the probability of that behaviour being repeated