2. Learning & Cognition: operant Flashcards
what are antecedents
cues (stimuli in environ) that signal availability of reinforcer (predicts the availability of SMTH REINFORCING
what is the antecedent-reinforcer r/s based on
CS-UCS association CC (this becomes the cues for operant behaviour)
Example of antecedent
mobile phone associated w/ REWARDING conseq (increased dopamine) of scrolling on SNS (voluntary behaviour)
what do antecedents drive?
habitual behaviours
e.x fav cafe = rewarding conseq of morning coffee (daily)
ABC model?
antecedent > behaviour > conseq
how to encourage +ve behaviours w/ operant conditioning?
structure environ w/ antecedent stimuli that ENCOURAGES DESIRED behaviour
e.x: decrease SNS use by putting your phone away
what are discriminant stimuli?
what an antecedent BECOMES when it signals 2+ BEHAVIOURS that’ll be REWARDED in a certain context
discriminant stimuli example
- swearing:
punished sometimes, rewarding other times (relieve stress) - animal training:
each hand signal/verbal command means a different trick which prod rewards. animals learn to DISCRIMINATE b/w diff cues/antecedent
what is reinforcement?
conseq of behaviours that increase the likelihood of it reoccuring (strengthen the behaviour)
+ve reinforcement
- learn to reprod behaviour if conseq is getting smth PLEASANT
(+ve reinforcer smth ADDED to ^ behaviour)
-ve reinforcement
- learn to reprod behaviour if conseq = smth UNPLEASANT STOPS
(-ve reinforcer smth is REMOVED to ^ behaviour)
continuous reinforcement
- lead to rapid extinction once reinforcer is WITHDRAWN
- conseq happen ALL THE TIME
e.x: everytime lever pressed, food comes out
partial reinforcement
- ^ persistence, better for learning
- learner is accustomed to reinforcements occurring only SOMETIMES (gambling)
when does extinction of reinforced behaviour occur?
when reinforcement is WITHDRAWN
- not immediate
- will sometimes be a BRIEF spike in response, THEN DECREASE in trained behaviour
what is punishment?
decreases behaviour becuz of UNDESIRABLE CONSEQ
+ve punishment
- stop behaviour if conseq = UNPLEASANT STIMULUS
- +ve punisher decrease behaviour when ADDED as a CONSEQ of action
-ve punishment
- stop prod of behaviour if conseq = SMTH DESIRABLE TAKEN AWAY
- -ve punisher decrease behaviour when SMTH is REMOVED as a CONSEQ of an action
3 C’s for punishment to be EFFECTVIE
- contingency: r/s b/w behaviour & punisher
- contiguity: punisher must ALWAYS follow each behaviour SWIFTLY (immediately after)
- consistency: PUNISH for EVERY occurrence of act (if NOT: lead to partial reinf which PROMOTES behaviour)
what is shaping
reinforces desired behaviour through SUCCESSIVE APPROXIMATIONS (reinforce in SMALL STEPS)
- for moulding behaviour that ISNT NATURAL to the organism
steps of shaping
- start w/ reinf HIGH FREQ component of DESIRED response
- DROP the reinf so behaviour becomes VARIABLE again
- await RESPONSE that is CLOSER to DESIRED response then reintroduce the reinf (keep CYCLING closer & closer)
- approx to DESIRED behaviour are achieved
drawbacks of punishment
- +ve punishment RARELY leads to longterm behaviour change (usually suppresses act only)
- -ve feelings are outcome
- no PROMOTION of MORE DESIRABLE behaviour
- learner may use same harsh punishment on others `
alternatives to punishment
- reinforce other behaviours (smth constructive, behaviour that’s INCOMPATIBLE w/ undesired)
- stop reinf problem behaviour (extinction)
- reinf non-occurrence of undesired act (REWARD SELF CONTROL)
