Module 22 (Operant Conditioning)

Question 1

Operant Conditioning

Answer 1

the consequences of behavior (rewards and punishments) influence the probability of the behavior increasing or decreasing in the future

Question 2

Reinforcement

Answer 2

any consequence to an action that strengthens the action (increases frequency, making it more likely to occur in the future)

Question 3

Positive reinforcer

Answer 3

a pleasant stimulus presented after a response that increases the probability of response happening again

Question 4

Negative reinforcer

Answer 4

removal of an unpleasant stimulus presented after a response that increases probability of response happening again

Question 5

Punishment

Answer 5

any consequence to an action that weakens the action (decreases frequency, making it less likely to occur in the future)

Question 6

Positive punishment

Answer 6

an unpleasant stimulus presented after a response that decreases the probability of that response happening again

Question 7

Negative punishment

Answer 7

removal of a pleasant stimulus that decreases the probability of that response happening again

Question 8

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 8

-reinforcement schedule in which all correct responses are reinforced
-Often employed when shaping behavior
-Produces fast learning, but also quick extinction when reinforcement stops

Question 9

Partial reinforcement

Answer 9

-schedule in which some but not all correct responses are reinforced
-Learning emerges more slowly, but there is much greater resistance to extinction than continuous reinforcement

Question 10

Fixed Ratio Reinforcement

Answer 10

every so many: reinforcement after a specified number of behavior
ex.) buy 10 coffees, get 1 free

Question 11

Variable ratio reinforcement

Answer 11

after an unpredictable many: reinforcement after a variable number of behaviors
ex.) slot machines

Question 12

Fixed interval reinforcement

Answer 12

every so often: reinforcement for behavior after a fixed time
ex.) tuesday discounts

Question 13

Variable interval reinforcement

Answer 13

unpredictably often: reinforcement for behavior after a random amount of time
ex.) checking phone for messages

Question 14

Challenges with punishment

Answer 14

-Behavior often reappears when threat of punishment is removed
Threat of punishment is suppressed, not forgotten
-Children may simply learn that behavior is okay now but not elsewhere
ex.) cursing when parents aren’t around
-May inhibit learning new/better responses
-May teach fear (generalization to the parent/punisher as well as the behavior)
-Rewards may overpower punishment
-May teach the use of aggression

Question 15

How punishment can be effective

Answer 15

punishment must be reasonable, unpleasant, and immediate so the relationship between the punishment and the unwanted behavior is clear

Question 16

Differences between classical and operant conditioning

Answer 16

-Classical conditioning involves the association of two stimuli (UCS and CS) before the response or behavior
-Operant conditioning involves associating a behavior with what comes after: a particular consequence (reward or punishment)
-OC encourages new behavior, while CC emphasizes old responses to new stimuli
-Classical is involuntary, Operant is voluntary