Learning (Operant Conditioning) Flashcards
operant conditioning
the kind of learning that applies to voluntary behavior
learning depends on what happens after response (consequence)
what’s in it for me
reinforcement key to learning
thorndike
cat, puzzle box
develop law of effect
cat pushing lever followed by pleasure (food), so pushing lever become repeated response
law of effect
thorndike
if an action is followed by a pleasurable consequence, it will tend to be repeated. if an action is followed by an unpleasant consequence, it will tend not to be repeated
basic principle behind learning voluntary behavior
skinner
behaviorist, focus only on observable bx
gave learning of voluntary behavior name of operant conditioning
contribute reinforcement
skinner box, train rat to push lever to get food
operant behavior
voluntary behavior
reinforcement
anything that, when following a response, causes that response to be more likely to happen again
typically pleasurable
key to learning in operant conditioning
reinforcers
items or events that when following a response will strengthen it
primary reinforcer
a reinforcer that fulfills a basic need like hunger, thirst, touch
infants, toddlers, children, and animals can be easily reinforced using these
secondary reinforcer
gets it reinforcing properties from being associated with primary reinforcers in the past
ex. money can be traded for food/drink
get power from classical conditioning
positive reinforcement
the reinforcement of a response by the addition or experience of a pleasurable consequence
bx increases, something added
negative reinforcement
following a response with the removal or escape from something unpleasant will increase the likelihood of that response being repeated
bx increases, something removed
partial reinforcement effect
a response that is reinforced after some, but not all, correct responses will be more resistant to extinction than a response that receives continuous reinforcement
continuous reinforcement
a reinforcer for each and every correct response
interval schedule
when timing of response is important
ratio schedule
when number of responses is important
fixed
same in each case
variable
different in each case
fixed interval schedule of reinforcement
a reinforcer is received after a certain, fixed interval of time has passed
scalloping
response rate goes up just before the reinforcer and drops off immediately after under almost time for next reinforcer
variable interval schedule of reinforcement
interval of time after which the individual must respond in order to receive a reinforcer changes from one time to the next
fixed ratio schedule or reinforcement
the number of responses required to receive each reinforcer will always be the same number
variable ratio schedule of reinforcement
the number of responses changes from one trial to the next
graphs of schedules of reinforcement
FI: bounces up
VI: semi straight line but different slopes
FR: steep line
VR: steep line, straighter
two additional factors that make reinforcement of bx as effective as possible
- timing: reinforcer given ASAP after desired bx
2. reinforce only desired bx
punishment
the opposite of reinforcement
any event or stimulus that, when following a response, causes that response to be less likely to happen again
punishment _____ responses, whereas reinforcement _____ responses
weakens, strenghtens