Learning Psych Exam 3 Flashcards
What differentiates operant learning from classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning involves placing a neutral stimulus before a reaction and operant conditioning involves applying reinforcement or punishment after a behavior. Classical conditioning affects smooth muscles, reflexes, and glandular activity while operant conditioning is best used on skeletal muscles or voluntary behaviors.
Define reinforcement and provide an example.
Reinforcement is the use of any stimulus that, when presented following a behavior, will increase the likelihood of that behavior. (ex: getting a cookie for completing all homework)
Define punishment and provide an example.
Punishment is the use of any stimulus that, when presented following a behavior will decrease the likelihood of that behavior. (getting a speeding ticket)
What is meant when punishment or reinforcement is referred to as negative?
Negative means the consequence takes something away from the situation
What is meant when punishment or reinforcement are referred to as positive?
Positive means that the consequence is adding something to the situation.
Give an example of positive reinforcement.
Checking the coin slot on a pay phone an finding a quarter; you find yourself checking other pay phones for the next few days.
Give an example of positive punishment
your car has an annoying beeping sound that beeps annoyingly if the car is started without buckling your seat belt. You’re less likely to start the car without buckling your seat belt.
Give an example of negative reinforcement.
Your hands are cold and you put gloves on. you’re more likely to put gloves on when it’s cold out.
Give an example of negative punishment
A young coyote waggles it’s head which often results n the loss of prey. The coyote becomes less likely to waggle it’s head over time.
What is a primary reinforcer?
something that is naturally or innately reinforcing. (food, water, sex, social interaction.)
Define Deprivation.
Depriving an animal of a type of reinforcer. (a food deprived animal will do more work for the same amount of reinforcement as a non-deprived animal)
Define Satiation.
Accumulated reinforcers decrease their effectiveness. (a satiated animal will do less work for the same amount of reinforcement as a normal animal will)
What is a secondary reinforcer?
A secondary reinforcer is created through classical conditioning. The CS gains reinforcing properties of US.
Why are secondary reinforcers more beneficial than primary?
Primary reinforcers are limited and may not always be practical, possible, or immediate. They also can disrupt the behavior in question. Secondary reinforcers can be immediate and do not satiate. The can go extinct, but re-association is always possible.
What is clicker training?
The use of a clicker to induce the shaping process.
What is a generalized reinforcer?
Is a secondary reinforcer that has been paired with many primary reinforcers. (money can be associated with many things)
What is the token economy?
When secondary reinforcers accumulate and can be “traded in” for other reinforcers.
Who is Thorndike and what contributions did he make to operant learning?
He is known as the grandfather of operant conditioning and created the puzzle boxes. He plotted learning curbes and saw no evidence of observational learning, reasoning, or spontaneous problem solving. He supported trial and error learning.
Define the Law of Effect.
It stated that when a behavior was reinforced it would increase and when punished would decrease. (basis of operant conditioning provided by Thorndike.)
