KKDP 1b

Question 1

operant conditioning

Answer 1

a three-phase learning process that involves an antecedent, behaviour, and consequence, whereby the consequence of a behaviour determines the likelihood that it will reoccur

Question 2

what occurred in B.F. Skinner’s experiment?

Answer 2

In 1948, psychologist B.F. Skinner trained mice and pigeons to perform certain behaviours (pressing a lever or matching a coloured panel and coloured light) by rewarding them with food each time they carried out the correct behaviour
Through the connection with the desired food, the animals actively learned to voluntarily change their behaviour.

Question 3

explain operant conditioning

Answer 3

• Operant conditioning is a behaviorist approach to learning where the consequence of a behavior determines its future likelihood.
• It requires active participation from the learner, who is aware of their behavior in response to stimuli.
• Learning occurs through interactions with the external environment, focusing on observable consequences rather than internal thoughts or emotions.
• Operant conditioning progresses through distinct phases, and completing all phases is essential for learning to occur.

Question 4

The three-phase process of operant conditioning

Answer 4

1. antecedent
2. behaviour
3. consequence

Question 5

define antecedent

Answer 5

the stimulus or event that precedes and often elicits a particular behaviour
- e.g. The owner says the command word ‘sit’ to their dog.

Question 6

define behaviour

Answer 6

the voluntary actions that occur in the presence of the antecedent
- e.g. The dog sits in response to the command word ‘sit’.

Question 7

define consequence

Answer 7

the outcome of the behaviour, which determines the likelihood that it will occur again
- e.g. he owner gives the dog a treat after they sit upon command. This increases the likelihood that the dog will sit on command again in the future

Question 8

consequence explained

Answer 8

• In operant conditioning, consequences influence the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
• Positive consequences increase the likelihood, while negative consequences decrease it.
• During the acquisition phase, an association between the behavior and its consequence is formed, either strengthening the behavior through reinforcement or weakening it through punishment.

Question 9

different types of consequences

Answer 9

• a consequence in operant conditioning is simply an outcome of behaviour, which determines the likelihood that the behaviour will occur again in the future
• To many people, the term ‘consequence’ generally signifies being punished
• However, ‘consequence’ takes on a broader meaning when used in the context of operant conditioning

Question 10

two distinct types of consequences in operant conditioning

Answer 10

1. Reinforcement
2. Punishment

Question 11

define reinforcement

Answer 11

a stimulus from the environment that increases the likelihood of a response occurring in the future

Question 12

two ways reinforcement can occur

Answer 12

1. positive reinforcement
2. negative reinforcement

Question 13

positive reinforcement

Answer 13

• the addition of a desirable stimulus, which in turn increases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring
• Occurs when a behaviour is followed by adding a desirable stimulus, increasing the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again)
• E.g. a service dog is given a treat to eat immediately after their alerting behaviour

Question 14

negative reinforcement

Answer 14

• the removal of an undesirable stimulus, which in turn increases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring
• Occurs when a behaviour is followed by the removal of an undesirable stimulus, increasing the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again)
• E.g. an uncomfortable face harness is removed from the service dog after it performs the alerting behaviour

Question 15

define punishment

Answer 15

a stimulus from the environment that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour occurring again

Question 16

two ways punishment can occur

Answer 16

1. positive punishment
2. negative punishment

Question 17

positive punishment

Answer 17

• the addition of an undesirable stimulus, which in turn decreases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring
• Occurs when a behaviour is followed by adding an undesirable stimulus, decreasing the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again
• E.g. an unpleasant odour is emitted from the service dogs’ collar when it jumps up on people unnecessarily

Question 18

negative punishment

Answer 18

• Negative punishment (aka response cost): the removal of a desirable stimulus, which in turn decreases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring
• Occurs when a behaviour is followed by the removal of a desirable stimulus, decreasing the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again
• E.g. the service dog has a desirable toy taken off them after jumping up on its owner

Question 19

Comparing classical conditioning and operant conditioning

Answer 19

• both are behaviourist approaches to learning
• although, the learner is passive during classical conditioning (as they do not consciously decide to engage in the learned behaviour) and active during operant conditioning (as the behaviour is consciously changed or maintained in response to a consequence)
• operant conditioning involves learning a behaviour usually coordinated by the somatic nervous system, whereas classical conditioning involves learning a behaviour usually coordinated by the autonomic nervous system

Question 20

Similarities between classical and operant conditioning

Answer 20

• Both are behaviourist approaches to learning
• Both are three-phase processes of learning
• Both require several trials in order for learning to occur. For example, during classical conditioning, the neutral and unconditioned stimuli need to be repeatedly paired in order for learning to occur. In operant conditioning, learning is more likely to occur if the consequence occurs several times in response to a behaviour.

Question 21

Differences between classical and operant conditioning

Answer 21

• Operant conditioning involves learning a voluntary behaviour, whereas classical conditioning involves learning an involuntary behaviour
• Learners are active during operant conditioning, whereas learners are passive during classical conditioning
• Operant conditioning requires a consequence, whereas there is no kind of consequence during classical conditioning