4.1.3-4.1.5 Operant conditioning

Question 1

Operant conditioning meaning

Answer 1

voluntary learning approach that requires consequences (reinforcement/punishment) of behaviours

Question 2

contingency definiton

Answer 2

the clear link between the reward/punishment and the behaviour

Question 3

contiguity definition

Answer 3

must not be a time lapse between reward or punishment, and the behaviour

Question 4

Evaluate operant conditioning (Skinner)

Answer 4

-Evidence= Skinners research shows OC is effective through positive reinforcement, pigeons continued to show trained behaviour (uncontrollable reinforcement) and rats learnt to press lever, evidence to support credibility of OC
-How good? low generalisability, Skinner studied rats in controlled environment ‘Skinner box’, can’t be generalised to humans

Question 5

Evaluate Operant conditioning (application)

Answer 5

high application, can teach children manners through reward scheme of stickers, is useful to society
(also train animals, use in prisons, treat anorexia)

Question 6

Evaluate Operant Conditioning ( comparisons)

Answer 6

Compared to CC, OC is more ethical, Thorndikes cats vs pavlovs dogs-dogs had long lasting effects, more useful to learn behaviours voluntarily

Question 7

positive reinforcer

Answer 7

something pleasant added

Question 8

negative reinforcer

Answer 8

something unpleasant removed

Question 9

positive punishment

Answer 9

something bad added

Question 10

negative punishment

Answer 10

something good removed

Question 11

uncontrollable reinforcer

Answer 11

when we associate our actions with a reinforcer and continue to repeat the behaviour