1.2 Positive Reinforcement Flashcards
Define instrumental conditioning (IC)
In instrumental conditioning, reinforcement or punishment are used to either increase or decrease the probability that a behaviour will occur again in the future
What relationship is critical in IC?
The relationship between the response and the outcome
What is distinct about IC compared to classical conditioning?
The subject’s behaviour determines the presentation of outcomes ONLY in IC
Define Thorndike’s Law of Effect
If a response produces a satisfying outcome, the response is more likely to occur again.
If a response produces a frustrating outcome, the response is less likely to occur again.
What is reinforcement?
Refers to the process by which an action is encouraged by the consequences that follow from that action
The relation between some event (the reinforcer) and a preceding response increases the strength of the response
How is a reinforcer defined?
It is defined by its observed effect on behaviour and NOT by its subjective qualities
What is a positive contingency?
Response results in outcome
What is a negative contingency?
Response prevents outcome
Define secondary reinforcement
Refers to a situation wherein a stimulus reinforces a behaviour after being previously associated with a primary reinforcer or a stimulus that satisfies basic survival instinct such as food, drinks, and clothing
ie. previously neutral stimuli may acquire reinforcing properties
What are 2 factors that affect IC?
- Temporal contiguity
2. Contingency
What is temporal contiguity?
Refers to how much time passes between the action and the reinforcer?
How does temporal contiguity affect IC?
A shorter delay results in a stronger association is made
What is thought to happen during weak TC?
Memory decay may occur the longer the time delay
Can get confused as to what is being reinforced - interference may lead to other associative learning taking place
How does contingency affect IC?
Leads to strong IC occurring quickly
It is critical for other types of IC
Give an example of a strong and weak contingency
Strong = rat only receives food if it presses the lever Weak = rat receives food regardless of pressing the lever
What is shaping?
Refers to trying to encourage a behaviour that you ultimately want the subject to perform by rewarding approximations to the goal
What basic principles of reinforcement does behaviour shaping have to adhere to in order to be effective?
Close temporal contiguity between R and Rft
Avoid giving spurious Rfts as this degrades contingency
Avoid reinforcing the wrong behaviour - development of “superstitious” behaviour
What does response chaining involve?
Shaping a sequence of responses
How did Skinner explain the complex behaviour of humans through the shaping principle and theories of reinforcement?
All complex behaviours can be broken down into simpler parts
Made up of small components of behaviour that build up on one another
There is an interplay between stimulus and response
What is the best way to start response chaining?
Training the thing closest to the reward and work your way back
What is partial reinforcement?
Where there is a reward given for a response but not always
List the different schedules of reinforcement
Continuous reinforcement
Partial reinforcement: Fixed ratio Fixed interval Variable ratio Variable interval
What is extinction?
Availability of reinforcement is removed so there is zero contingency between response and reinforcer
Observed in both IC and CC
