Operant Conditioning Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is operant conditioning?
A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.
Who is the psychologist most associated with operant conditioning?
B.F. Skinner.
True or False: Operant conditioning involves learning through observation.
False.
What is reinforcement in operant conditioning?
Any event that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a behavior.
Fill in the blank: Positive reinforcement involves presenting a _____ to increase a behavior.
stimulus.
What is negative reinforcement?
The removal of an aversive stimulus to increase a behavior.
What are the two types of reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement.
What is punishment in the context of operant conditioning?
An event that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
True or False: Punishment always involves adding a negative consequence.
False.
What is positive punishment?
Adding an aversive stimulus to reduce a behavior.
What is negative punishment?
Removing a pleasant stimulus to reduce a behavior.
What is a reinforcement schedule?
A rule that describes how and when a behavior will be reinforced.
What are the four main types of reinforcement schedules?
Fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval.
Fill in the blank: A fixed ratio schedule provides reinforcement after a _____ number of responses.
specific.
What is a variable ratio schedule?
A reinforcement schedule that provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses.
What is a fixed interval schedule?
A reinforcement schedule that provides reinforcement after a fixed amount of time has passed.
What is a variable interval schedule?
A reinforcement schedule that provides reinforcement after varying amounts of time.
True or False: Continuous reinforcement is a schedule where every correct response is reinforced.
True.
What is extinction in operant conditioning?
The gradual weakening of a conditioned behavior when reinforcement is no longer provided.
What is shaping in operant conditioning?
The process of reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior.
Fill in the blank: The Skinner Box was used to study the principles of _____ conditioning.
operant.
What is a discriminative stimulus?
A stimulus that signals the availability of reinforcement for a particular behavior.
True or False: Operant conditioning can be applied in educational settings.
True.
What is the role of a behavior analyst?
To apply principles of operant conditioning to modify behavior.
