L3 - Operant Conditioning

Question 1

Define operant conditioning

Answer 1

Form of learning through consequences of actions, including positive/negative reinforcement and punishment

Question 2

Define positive reinforcement

Answer 2

Receiving an award for carrying out a behaviour, encouraging the performance of that behaviour

Question 3

Define negative reinforcement

Answer 3

Receiving so,ethnically unpleasant as a result of performing a behaviour, discouraging the performance of that behaviour

Question 4

Define punishment

Answer 4

An unpleasant consequence of a certain behaviour

Usually results in negative reinforcement

Question 5

How was the Skinner box set up?

Answer 5

Rat in a box

Levers, door, floor which could be electrified

Question 6

What was positive reinforcement in the Skinner box?

Answer 6

Press lever, get a food pellet

Rat continued to press to get reward

Question 7

What was negative reinforcement in the Skinner box?

Answer 7

Press level = floor electrified = electric shock

Rat learnt not to press lever to avoid shock

Question 8

Advantage of operant conditioning?

Answer 8

Used as token economy in prisons and hospitals

Research found schizophrenics involved in token economy had behaviour become more appropriate

Question 9

Disadvantage related to ethics?

Answer 9

Psychological harm
Rat was deliberately hurt through shocks
Affects physical health

Question 10

Disadvantage of operant conditioning?

Answer 10

Problems with generalising
Used non-human rats and pigeons
Physiological differences
We have influences they don’t