Module 27 - 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 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

Discriminative stimulus

Answer 6

In operant conditioning, a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement (in contrast to related stimuli not associated with reinforcement)

Question 7

Positive reinforcement

Answer 7

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcements. A positive reinforcement is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response

Question 8

Negative reinforcement

Answer 8

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing aversive stimuli. A negative reinforcement is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response. (Note: Negative reinforcement is not punishment)

Question 9

Primary reinforcement

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Conditioned reinforcement (secondary reinforcement)

Answer 10

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcement

Question 11

Reinforcement schedule

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 12

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs

Question 13

Partial (intermittent) reinforcement schedule

Answer 13

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 14

Fixed-ratio schedule

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Variable-ratio schedule

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Fixed-interval schedule

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Variable-interval schedule

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Punishment

Answer 18

An event that tends to decrease the behavior that it follows

Question 19

Positive punishment

Answer 19

Administer an aversive stimulus

Question 20

Negative punishment

Answer 20

Withdraw a rewarding stimulus