CHP 5 OPERANT LEARNING I: REINFORCEMENT Flashcards
Operant behavior
a generic class of responses influenced by antecedents, with each response in the class producing the same consequence
Antecedent
an observable stimulus that’s present before the behavior occurs
Consequence
an observable stimulus change that happens after behavior occurs
Response-consequence contingency
the causal (IF–>THEN) relationship between an operant behavior and its consequence
Contingent reinforcement
occurs after a response as a result of the response
Noncontingent reinforcement
occurs after a response but NOT as a result of the reponse
Superstitutious behavior
occurs when an individual believes a non-contingent reinforcer is a contingent reinforcer
Reinforcement
the process or procedure whereby a reinforcer increases operant behavior above its baseline level
Reinforcer
a consequence that follows a response that increases behavior above its baseline level
Reward
a beneficial consequence that might function as a reinforcer, but it’s not sure yet whether or not it will
Who discovered reinforcement?
Edward L Thorndike, B.F. Skinner’s research confirmed it and he coined the term “operant behavior”
Role of exploration in operant behavior
Exploration in operant behavior is used to figure out the response behavior. The subject tries different behaviors until they find the target behavior