Chapter 5 Flashcards
What is instrumental learning
• Behaviours followed by favorable consequences become more likely (opposite for behaviours followed by unfavorable consequences)
What did Edward Throndike paradigm looked like?
It was a puzzle box (he had multiple versions of it), and outside the box was a bowl of food, the animals had to solve the puzzle to get to the food
What happened with the cats in Thorndike’s puzzle box?
After many trials, the cats began to exhibit behaviours that got them closer to the food (even getting to the food sometimes)
- It became more and more probable that the cat was able to get out
- According to Thorndike, the cats associated the context of being placed in the box w a certain response (getting out); food reinforced the response
What are the components of stimulus response learning in Thorndike’s box
box=stimulus
Response =pulling string
outcome=door opening
food=reinforcer
What is instrumental behaviour?
Behaviour that occurs bc it was previously effective in producing certain consequences
What is Thorndike’s law of effect?
if a response R in the presence of a stimulus S is followed by a satisfying event, the association between the stimulus S and the response R becomes strengthened. If the response is followed by an annoying event, the S–R association is weakened
What are discrete trial procedures?
Measuring instrumental conditioning in the same way as with Thorndike’s box, but with T or I shaped mazes.
What do I and T shaped mazes measure?
Running speed: how fast the animal runs to the goal
Latency: how long the rat/animal takes to leave the start box
What are free-operant procedures?
When animals are not removed from the maze after completing it; they can do it over and over again as they please
Who invented free-operant procedures? Which tpe of behaviourism is he associated with?
B. F. Skinner, radical behaviourism
What are the components of the Skinner box?
• Within the box there is a lever, and a food pellet dispenser (activated by lever)
• Grid floor (can be electrified)
• Signal lights, speaker
Multi purpose box (many experiments possible)
What is an operant response?
is defined in terms of the effect that the behavior has on the environment. Activities that have the same environmental effect are considered to be instances of the same operant response.
Ex: it doesnt matter which body part the rat uses to press the lever, as long as he presses it
What is magazine training?
Classical conditioning to indicate to the animal that he will get some food, and how he can get it
What is shaping?
Getting the animal to produce the operant response (ex: pressing the lever for food)
Each step closer to the behaviour is rewarded until the animal produces the behaviour
What are the steps to shaping?
○ Clearly define the final response
○ Clearly assess the starting level of performance
○ Successive approximations (reward every closer action; part of shaping)
This is how we learn any complex skill (reward/feedback for each step)
How are operant responses measured in free-operant procedures?
Since the animal is free to do whatever behaviours he likes, the researchers will focus on the probability that he does certain or certain behaviours
What is positive reinforcement as an instrumental conditioning procedure?
Response: Produces something good
Result: increase in response rate
What is positive punishment as an instrumental conditioning procedure?
Response: produces something bad
Result: decrease in response rate
What is negative reinforcement as an instrumental conditioning procedure?
Response: removes something bad
Result: increase in response rate
