Chapter 8 2nd Half Flashcards
Respondent Behavior
Behavior that occurs as an automatic response to some stimulus; Skinner’s term for behavior learned through classical conditioning
Operant Conditioning
A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforced or diminished if followed by a punisher
Operant Behavior
Behavior that operates on the environment, producing consequences
Law of Effect
Throndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favor consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely
Operant Chamber
A chamber aka Skinner box, containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, with attached devices to record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking. Used in operant conditioning research
Shaping
An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior
Positive Reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food. A positive reinforced is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.
Negative Reinforcement
Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response (NOT punishment)
Primary Reinforcers
An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need
Conditioned Reinforcers
A stimulus that gains it’s reinforcing powers through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as secondary reinforcer
Continuous Reinforcer
Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement
Reinforcing a response only part time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement
Fixed-Ratio Schedules
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses
Variable-Ratio Schedules
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
Fixed-Interval Schedules
In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
