Learning Theory Operant Conditioning Flashcards
Law of Effect
developed by Thorndike. States that any response that is followed by a “satisfying state of affairs” is likely to be repeated, while any act that results in “annoying state of affairs” is less likely to reoccur.
______ refers to the application of a stimulus
“positive”
______ refers to the withholding or removal of a stimulus
“negative”
Reinforcement
INCREASES the behavior is follows.
Positive reinforcement
Performance of a behavior INCREASES as the result of the APPLICATION of a stimulus (reinforcer).
EX: Behavior is safe driving. Goal is to be a safe driver. Positive reinforcement would be to receive a gas gift card for driving safely.
Negative reinforcement
A behavior INCREASES as the result of the WITHDRAWAL of a stimulus following the behavior.
EX: Behavior is safe driving. Goal is to be a safe driver. Negative reinforcement would be to have the seat belt sound stop when you put your seat belt on.
Punishment
DECREASES the behavior it follows.
Positive punishment
Occurs when the APPLICATION of a stimulus following a response DECREASES that response.
EX: Behavior is safe driving. Goal is to be a safe driver. Positive punishment is when you get a speeding ticket for speeding.
Slapping a dog after he chews your favorite shoes to stop the dog’s chewing behavior.
Negative punishment
Occurs when REMOVAL of a stimulus following a behavior decreases that behavior.
EX: Behavior is safe driving. Goal is to be a safe driver. Positive punishment is when you get your license taken away because of reckless driving.
Taking away a child’s allowance whenever she talks back to decrease her back-talking.
Operant extinction
Occurs when reinforcement is consistently withheld from a previously reinforced behavior to decrease or eliminate that behavior.
Findings: does not cause immediate cessation of the response, instead, has a gradual disappearance.
Behavioral contrast
When a subject has been reinforced for 2 different behaviors and reinforcement for one behavior is withdrawn in order to extinguish it, the other behavior is likely to increase.
What are the four intermittent schedules?
1) Fixed Interval (FI)
2) Variable Interval (VI)
3) Fixed Ratio (FR)
4) Variable Ratio (VR)
____ are inherently desirable and do not depend on experience to acquire their reinforcing value
primary reinforcer
____ acquire their value only through repeated association with primary reinforcers.
Secondary reinforcers
Fixed Interval (FI)
When using an FI schedule, reinforcement is delivered after a fixed period of time regardless of the number of responses made.
Subjects in this schedule typically stop responding after a reinforcer is delivered and then begin responding again toward the end of the reinforcement interval, which produces a “scallop” in the cumulative recording of the number of responses made.
Variable Interval (VI)
The interval of time between delivery of reinforcers varies in an unpredictable manner from interval to interval.
Produces a steady but relatively low rate of response. EX: specific amount of “pop quizzes” given during a semester, but the time between quizzes will vary.
Fixed Ratio (FR)
a reinforcer is delivered each time the subject makes a specific number of responses.
EX: A pellet is provided every 6th peck a pigeon gives.
Piecework, when workers receive payment following completion of a specific number of units.
produces a high, steady rate of responding, usually with a brief pause following delivery of the reinforcer.
Variable Ratio (VR)
Reinforcers are provided after a variable number of responses.
Number os responses needed for reinforcement varies.