KKDP : 3 Operant Conditioning Flashcards
What is operant conditioning
It refers to learning in which behaviour becomes controlled by its consequences
What is an operant response?
a response that occurs without any stimulus causing it - that is a voluntary behaviour
what is the D-B-C of operant conditioning
D - discriminative stimulus (the environment or stimulus that leads to the behaviour)
B - Behaviour (operant response)
C - consequence (reinforcer)
what are the 4 different consequences of operant conditioning?
Positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement
punishment
response cost
Positive reinforcement
a reward which strengthens a response by providing a pleasant or satisfying consequence
Negative reinforcement
The removal, reduction or prevention of an unpleasant stimulus
Punishment
a punisher is any stimulus that weakened or decreases the likelihood of a response
positive punishment ( involves a behaviour being followed by a negative consequence)
Response cost
is also a form of punishment that occurs when something desirable is removed
Schedules of reinforcement
the frequency and manner in which a response is reinforced
continuous reinforcement
when a correct response is reinforced every time it is given - this is necessary in the acquisition stage
partial reinforcement
when only some correct reposes are reinforced
what are the 4 schedules?
Fixed ratio
fixed interval
variable ratio
variable interval
fixed interval
reinforcement is delivered after a fixed time period as long as at least one correct response is given
fixed ratio
reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of correct responses
variable interval
reinforcement is delivered after an average amount of time
variable ratio
reinforcement is delivered after an average number of correct responses
- most resistant to extinction
what schedules are best for acquisition ?
FR - VR - FI - Vi
what schedules are best for preventing extinction ?
VR - Vi - FI/FR
what is shaping ?
A procedure in which a reinforcer us given for a response that successively approximates and ultimately leads to the final desired response
Token economies
are settings in which an individual receives tokens for desired behaviours and these can then be collected and exchanged for ‘real’ rewards
disadvantages of token economy
people may feel manipulated or refuse to co - operate
can also fail if the underlying causes of behaviour are not addressed
