Midterm 2 (Ch. 6) Flashcards
describe Thorndike’s experiment
built a puzzle box, cat had to solve and escape, gave cat food after solving, cat got faster each time
define operant behaviours
behaviours influenced or controlled by their consequences
define operant conditioning
modifying behaviour by changing the consequences of that behaviour
define discriminative stimulus
stimulus in the presence of which
responses are reinforced and in the absence of which responses are not reinforced (sets occasion for responses)
define positive reinforcement. what is accomplished?
some event (considered pleasant) is presented following a certain behaviour. increase in the future strength of that behaviour
define negative reinforcement. what is accomplished?
some event (considered aversive) is removed following a certain behaviour. increase in the future strength of that behaviour
define positive punishment. what is accomplished?
some event (considered aversive) is presented following a certain behaviour. decrease in the future strength of that behaviour
define negative punishment. what is accomplished?
some event (considered pleasant) is removed following a certain behaviour. decrease in the future strength of that behaviour
define operant extinction
the probability-altering consequence is no longer
associated with the behaviour, the association between the two will be weakened.
what is a complication of reinforcement?
reinforcement timing (when training a dog, giving them a treat right away will strengthen reinforcement)
what will a primary/unconditioned reinforcer do?
it will reinforce without any learning required (e.g. food)
what will a secondary/conditioned reinforcer do?
it will reinforce by being paired with another reinforcer
(e.g. nice clothes, good grades)
what will a generalized/generalized secondary reinforcer do?
it will reinforce by being paired with several other reinforcers (e.g. money)
