Psychology of Learning: Operant Conditioning

Question 1

GENERAL CONCEPTS

Define operant conditioning.

Answer 1

Operant conditioning is a learning process that uses a system of rewards and punishments to modify behaviour, relying on environmental consequences to strengthen or diminish specific behaviours.

Question 2

GENERAL CONCEPTS

Name 3 types of operants.

Answer 2

1. Neutral operant: responses from the environment that neither increase nor decrease the probability of a behaviour being repeated.
2. **Reinforcers: **responses from the environment that increase probability of behaviour being repeated. Reinforcers can be positive or negative.
3. Punishers: responses from the environment that decrease the likelihood of repeated behaviour. Punishment weakens behaviour.

Question 3

REINFORCEMENT

Define reinforcement.

Answer 3

Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a response by presenting a reward or by removing an aversive stimulus.

Question 4

REINFORCEMENT

Compare positive and negative reinforcement.

Answer 4

Positive Reinforcement occurs when a desired stimulus is presented after a behaviour.
Negative reinforcement is when an aversive stimuli is eliminated.

Question 5

REINFORCEMENT

What is the meaning of the key terms in the schedules of reinforcement?

Answer 5

Fixed: predictable
**Variable: **unpredictable
**Interval: **based on number on time
**Ratios: **based on number of responses/behaviours

Question 6

PUNISHMENT

What is punishment?

Answer 6

Punishment decreases the likelihood that a behaviour will occur again. It can involve something pleasant being taken away or something unpleasant being presented.

Question 7

PUNISHMENT

What are the two types of punishment?

Answer 7

Aversive punishment (add unpleasant stimuli)
Response cost (take away positive stimuli)

Question 8

SHAPING

Define shaping.

Answer 8

Shaping involves reinforcing behaviours in a series of small steps. This strategy can effectively be used to teach complex behaviours. When put together in sequence the small steps culminate to produce a complex behaviour.

Question 9

PLACEBO EFFECT

Define the placebo effect.

Answer 9

The placebo effect thought to occur as a result of believing a treatment is real, combined with the body’s natural ability to provide pain relief.

Question 10

BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION

Define behaviour modification.

Answer 10

Behaviour modification is the process of changing behaviours over a long-term period using various motivational techniques and reinforcement strategies.

Question 11

BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION

Why use behaviour modification?

Answer 11

Behaviour modification aims to replace inappropriate behaviour with more postive and desirable ones.

Question 12

REINFORCEMENT

Compare continuous reinforcement to other scheldues of reinforcement.

Answer 12

Continuous reinforcement involves rewarding a behaviour every time it occurs, while other schedules, like variable schedules which reinforce behaviour unexpectedly. Continuous reinforcement is effective for quickly establishing a new behaviour but has a fast extinction rate. Other schedules, like fixed ratio and variable interval, are more resistant to extinction and can maintain learned behaviours for longer.

Question 13

REINFORCEMENT

Define continuous reinforcement.

Answer 13

Continuous reinforcement is a reinforcement schedule where a reward or reinforcer is given after every desired behavior is exhibited.