Factors Involved In Operant Conditioning

Question 1

Extinction

Answer 1

The gradual decrease in the strength and rate of a learned response following consistent non- reinforcement of the response. When the behaviour is lost, extinction is said to have occurred. As with classical conditioning, extinction occurs over time. In contrast to classical conditioning, extinction in operant conditioning involves removal of a reinforcer (not an unconditioned stimulus).

Question 2

Acquisition

Answer 2

The strengthening of a behaviour through reinforcement that is produced by the antecendent itself.

Question 3

Stimulus discrimination

Answer 3

A phenomenon in which the conditioned behaviour is only demonstrated to the antecedent to which it was conditioned and not any other similar stimuli. It is achieved by reinforcing response to one stimulus but not reinforcing to other similar stimuli or responses. Organisms can be taught to respond only to a particular antecedent.

Question 4

Stimulus generalisation

Answer 4

A phenomenon in which the correct response is made to an antecedent that is similar (but not necessarily identical) to a stimulus that was present when an original behaviour was reinforced. The strength of generalisation depends on the similarity of the antecedent. The more similar the stimulus is to the antecedent that resulted in reinforced behaviour, the more likely generalisation was to occur (and vice versa).

Question 5

Spontaneous recovery

Answer 5

The reappearance of a conditioned behaviour in the presence of the antecedent after apparent extinction in the absence of any reinforcement. Responses will most likely be weaker and not last very long.

Question 6

Shaping

Answer 6

The process of rewarding each successive approximation as it leads to the target behaviour.