Chapter 6: operant conditioning

Question 1

operant conditioning

Answer 1

Operant conditioning is a type of associative learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.

Question 2

reinforcement

Answer 2

Reinforcement is defined as a consequence that follows an operant response that increase (or attempts to increase) the likelihood of that response occurring in the future.

Question 3

positive reinforcement

Answer 3

Something positive which is received when the desired behavior is performed.

Question 4

Give an example of positive reinforcement.

Answer 4

Giving a dog a treat when they act well-behaved or perform a trick.

Question 5

negative reinforcement

Answer 5

Negative reinforcement is the encouragement of certain behaviors by removing or avoiding a negative outcome or stimuli.

Something negative is avoided after the desired behavior is performed which increases the probability of the desirable behavior being performed and repeated.

Question 6

Give an example of negative reinforcement.

Answer 6

Doing the homework to avoid detention.

Question 7

primary reinforcer

Answer 7

an event that is innately reinforced often by satisfying a biological need
One that satisfies a basic need such as getting food.

Question 8

conditioned\ secondary reinforcer

Answer 8

Also is known as a secondary reinforcer an event that gains reinforcing power through its link with the primary reinforcer

One that enables you to access a primary reinforcement such as getting money.

Question 9

reinforcement schedule

Answer 9

a pattern that defines how often the desired response will be reinforced

Question 10

Define ‘punishment’.

Answer 10

Causing some kind of physical or mental distress by giving a negative consequence and so decreasing the probability of the undesirable behavior being repeated.

Question 11

Define ‘positive’ punishment.

Answer 11

adding an aversive consequence after an undesired behavior is performed to decrease future responses.

Question 12

Give an example of positive punishment.

Answer 12

Getting hit by a ruler at school for being naughty.

adding more chores to the list when your child neglects their responsibilities.

Question 13

Define ‘negative’ punishment.

Answer 13

Getting something taken away or being deprived of something as punishment.

Question 14

Give an example of negative punishment.

Answer 14

Going to be without tea for being naughty.

Losing access to a toy, being grounded, and losing reward tokens

Question 15

Give an example of primary punishment.

Answer 15

Being deprived of food.

Question 16

Give an example of secondary punishment.

Answer 16

Being deprived of pocket money.

Question 17

Define ‘shaping’ in terms of ‘successive approximations’

Answer 17

Learning a new skill through different stages, being rewarded each time.

Example: Learning how to use a knife and fork by using stages such as going from being fed, to a spoon, to a knife and fork.

Question 18

List the 3 principles of operant conditioning.

Answer 18

1) Generalisation
2) Discrimination
3) Extinction

Question 19

Define ‘generalization’ in terms of operant conditioning.

Answer 19

The the behaviour is generalised to similar things to the reinforced behaviour.

Question 20

Define ‘discrimination’ in terms of operant conditioning.

Answer 20

Distinguishing between responses that may be similar to the reinforced behaviour.

Question 21

Define ‘extinction’ in terms of operant conditioning.

Answer 21

extinction refers to the process of no longer providing the reinforcement that has been maintaining a behavior.

Question 22

List the 5 schedules of reinforcement.

Answer 22

1) Continuous
2) Fixed ratio
3) Variable ratio
4) Fixed interval
5) Variable interval

Question 23

Define a ‘continuous’ schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 23

Where the desired behaviour is reinforced every time it occurs.

Question 24

Give an example of continuous schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 24

Getting a raise at work after every successful project.

Question 25

State the response rate and extinction rate of a continuous schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 25

Response rate = Slow
Extinction rate = Fast

Question 26

Define a ‘fixed ratio’ schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 26

When every 5th, 10th, or any such regular desired behaviour is reinforced.

Question 27

Give an example of a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 27

A mom asking her child to clean their room 5 times before they are punished.

Question 28

State the response rate and extinction rate of fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 28

Response rate = Fast
Extinction rate = Medium

Question 29

Define a ‘variable ratio’ schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 29

Where the number of necessary desired behaviours are constantly altered.

Question 30

Give an example of a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 30

When at a casino a slot machine it provides different winnings each time.

Question 31

State the response rate and extinction rate of variable ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 31

Response rate = Fast
Extinction rate = Slow

Question 32

Define a ‘fixed interval schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 32

Reinforcement made once every fixed number of minutes so long as there has been at least one desirable behaviour performed during that time.

Question 33

Give an example of a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 33

Receiving a treat after every hour of revision.

Question 34

State the response rate and extinction rate of the fixed interval schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 34

Response rate = Medium
Extinction rate = Medium

Question 35

Define a ‘variable interval schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 35

Reinforcement is made at different time periods.

Question 36

Give an example of a variable interval schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 36

Self-employed people getting paid at different times in the month after completing different length tasks.

Question 37

State the response rate and extinction rate of fixed interval schedule of reinforcement.

Answer 37

Response rate = Fast
Extinction rate = Slow

Question 38

How does operant conditioning compare to classical conditioning in the responses that are learnt?

Answer 38

Classical = The responses already occur naturally to an animal, it’s only the stimuli that can be manipulated to elicits these responses
Operant = New behaviours are created in animals in response to a consequence