Lesson 3 - Operant Conditioning (Behaviourist Approach)

Question 1

Skinner’s Theory of Operant Conditioning

Answer 1

Organisms spontaneously produce different behaviours and these behaviours produce consequences for that organism
Some of these are good and some bad
If consequences are good, then the behaviour is likely to be repeated
If consequences are bad, then the behaviour is less likely to be repeated

Question 2

Operant Conditioning

Answer 2

Responses are reinforced in operant conditioning but not classical
Classical explains the acquisition of a response while operant explains the maintenance of a response

Question 3

Reinforcement

Answer 3

Something in the environment that strengthens a particular behaviour

Positive Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement

Question 4

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 4

Occurs when behaviour produces a consequence that is satisfying or pleasant for the organism

Question 5

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 5

Occurs when behaviour removes something aversive and returns the organism to the pre-aversive state

Question 6

Punishment

Answer 6

Occurs when a behaviour leads to an unpleasant consequences
Decreases likelihood that the behaviour will occur again

Positive Punishment
Negative Punishment

Question 7

Positive Punishment

Answer 7

This is when something unpleasant is added to a person’s life that was not there before

Question 8

Negative Punishment

Answer 8

This is when something pleasant is removed from a person’s life

Question 9

Skinner (1953)

Answer 9

Conducted a study on rats in a device called the Skinner Box
Box was a cage which had speakers, lights, a level, a door and a floor which could be electrified
One hungry rat would run freely
The rat might accidentally press the lever and be rewarded by a food pellet (positive reinforcement)
The rat would then continue to press the lever to continue receiving food
The rat also learnt to press the lever to stop avoid an electric shock via the electrified floor (negative reinforcement)

Question 10

Operant Conditioning Evaluation Points

Answer 10

Paul and Lentz
Experimental Method
Nurture Side

Deterministic
Ethical Issues
Biological Approach

Question 11

Operant Conditioning Evaluation
Paul and Lentz
Positive

Answer 11

Research supports idea of operant conditioning in the real world
Token economy is used in institutions and act as a form of behaviour modification
Token economy works by rewarding appropriate behaviour with tokens that can be exchanged for priveleges
Paul and Lentz used token economy to treat patients with schizophrenia and it was found that their behaviour becomes more acceptable

Question 12

Operant Conditioning Evaluation
Experimental Method
Positive

Answer 12

Using the Skinner Box, Skinner relied on the experimental method
Highly controlled conditions to discover the relationship between variables so he could establish a cause and effect relationship

Question 13

Operant Conditioning Evaluation
Nurture Side
Positive

Answer 13

Research by Skinner is on the nurture sude
States learning occurs due to environmental factors and external stimuli rather than nature and biology
Therefore, by manipulating environmental factors, there can be an effect on learning and behaviour

Question 14

Operant Conditioning Evaluation
Deterministic
Negative

Answer 14

Skinner ignores concept of free will
Suggests past experiences involving operant conditioning will affect future behaviour
Deterministic view of behaviour not accounting for free will

Question 15

Operant Conditioning Evaluation
Ethical Concerns
Negative

Answer 15

Rats and pigeons were placd in the Skinner box in stressful and aversive conditions which could have had a negative effect upon the psychological and physical health of the animals

Also issues of generalising animals to humans
Animals are different to humans therefore results may not be applicable

Question 16

Operant Conditioning Evaluation
Biological Approach
Negative

Answer 16

Ignores biological approach
Biological approach argues against behaviourist approach and states behaviour cannot be learnt but instead is heavily influenced by role of genes, hormones and biochemical/neural mechanisms
Therefore other conditions must be considered when examining the influence upon behaviour
Operant conditioning/learning cannot explain all behaviours as some are genetically rooted