Module 20: Operant Conditioning

Question 1

Operant Conditioning

Answer 1

A type of learning in which a behavior becomes more likely to recur if followed by a reinforcer or less likely to recur if followed by a punisher.

Question 2

Law of Effect

Answer 2

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Question 3

Operant Chamber

Answer 3

In operant conditioning research, a chamber (Skinner box) containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer, attached devices record the animal’s rate of bar pressing or key pecking.

Question 4

Reinforcement

Answer 4

In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows.

Question 5

Shaping

Answer 5

An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.

Question 6

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 6

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers (any stimulus that, when presented after the response, strengthens it).

Question 7

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 7

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing aversive stimuli. (Negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens it). This is NOT punishment.

Question 8

Primary Reinforcer

Answer 8

An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need.

Question 9

Conditioned Reinforcer

Answer 9

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer.

Question 10

Positive Punishment

Answer 10

Administration of an aversive stimulus. Ex. Spray water on a barking dog.

Question 11

Negative Punishment

Answer 11

Withdrawing a rewarding stimulus. Ex: take away misbehaving teen’s driving privileges.

Question 12

Reinforcement Schedule

Answer 12

A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced.

Question 13

Continuous Reinforcement Schedule

Answer 13

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Question 14

Partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Answer 14

Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response, but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.

Question 15

Fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 15

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.

Question 16

Variable-ratio schedule

Answer 16

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.

Question 17

Fixed-interval schedule

Answer 17

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed.

Question 18

Variable-interval schedule

Answer 18

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.

Question 19

“Little Albert” Study

Answer 19

John Watson demonstrated classical conditioning in this experiment. Baby Albert, a previously unafraid baby, was conditioned to become afraid of a rat. Watson would make a loud bang when presenting the rat, until Albert was fearful of the rat, even without the noise present.