Chapter 6 part 2 Flashcards
operant conditioning
what is operant conditioning?
a learning process in which a behavior becomes associated with a consequence. as a result of this association, the consequence influences the probability of that behavior occurring again in the future
who is Edward L. Thorndike and what did he do?
scientist that first demonstrated the power of changing behavior by manipulating the consequences of that behavior
can the consequence of a behavior be good or bad?
yes
what consequence do you give if you want someone to do a behavior more?
reward the behavior
what consequence do you give if you want someone to do a behavior less?
punishment after the behavior
what is the law of effect?
if a behavior is followed by a pleasurable consequence, it will tend to be repeated. if a behavior is followed by an unpleasant consequence, it will tend not to be repeated
who did the cat in the box experiment?
Thorndike
what happened during the cat in the box experiment?
the first time the cat goes in the box, the cat meows and scratches, but those behaviors don’t lead to escape. by accident, the cat steps on the lever and gets out to eat the food. Thorndike stops the timer and repeats the experiment again and again. After the 10th-ish time, the cat goes right over to the lever and steps on it because stepping on the lever was the only behavior that led to a reward
who is B.F. Skinner and what did he do?
extremely influential scientist associated with further defining operant conditioning and using it to modify and control behavior
was B.F. Skinner a behaviorist and believed free will is nonexistent?
yes
what is behaviorism?
behavior changes through rewards and punishments. can only know what is directly observable. no speculation about what is going on in “the mind”
what is reinforcement in operant conditioning?
the response if followed by a pleasant consequence
what is the result of reinforcement?
the response is more likely to occur (increase in the amount of time spent doing that behavior)
what is punishment in operant conditioning?
the response is followed by an unpleasant consequence
what is the result of punishment?
the response is less likely to occur (decrease in amount of time spent doing behavior)
what are the two ways to reinforce behavior?
positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement
what is “positive” in operant conditioning?
presence of –> getting something
what is “negative” in operant conditioning?
absence of –> taking something away
OR doing a behavior to prevent / avoid something bad
what is an example of positive reinforcement?
get an A on a test by studying hard and parents get you a gift card, now you are more likely to study hard
what is an example of negative reinforcement? (removal)
took me to the airport –> I offer to do the dishes for you all week (taking away the burden of doing dishes) now that person is more likely to take me to the airport
what is an example of negative reinforcement? (avoid)
going to class to remove the possibility of failing
negative reinforcement =
avoidance / escape
what are the two ways to punish behavior?
get something bad or remove something good
what is positive punishment?
punishing behavior by giving the person something bad