Module 27 Operates Conditioning Flashcards
law of Effects
operant conditioning
in operant conditioning research, a chamber (also known as a 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. (p. 284)
Reinforcement
in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows.
shaping
an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.
discriminative stimulus
in operant conditioning, a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement (in contrast to related stimuli not associated with reinforcement).
positive reinforcement
increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers. A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.
Negative reinforcement
increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing aversive stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response.
primary reinforcer
an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need
Conditioned reinforcers
a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer
reinforcement schedules
a pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced
continuous reinforcement
reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs
Fixed-ratio schedules
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.
Variable-ratio schedules
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed
Fixed-interval schedules
in operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals
