Module 28

Question 1

Operant conditioning

Answer 1

Associative learning based on positive or negative consequences of responding

Question 2

Thorndike’s law of effect

Answer 2

Responses that lead to desirable effects are repeated; those that produce undesirable results are not

Question 3

How Operant Conditioning Works

Answer 3

1. Probability of a response will be influenced by the consequences of those responses
2. Conditioning through reinforcement or punishment

Question 4

Skinner box: An apparatus designed to study operant conditioning in animals

Answer 4

1. The walls of the box were bare except for a metal bar and a try of food where pellets could be dispensed.
2. The emitting of desired behavior by the rat was pressing on the metal bar. There were two things that could cause this. One, the rat was bored, or 2 the rat was hungry.
3. These things kept the animal motivated and wanting to seek things like food.
   - Showed that the rats could already press the bar but did it because of the positive consequence of food.

Question 5

Reinforcer

Answer 5

1. Event that follows a response and increases probability or reoccurrence
2. Positive reinforcement occurs when a reward or positive event follows a response
3. Negative reinforcement occurs when making a response is followed by removing something unpleasant from environment

Question 6

Punisher

Answer 6

1. Event or consequence that makes response less likely to reoccur
2. Positive punishment occurs when behavior is followed by an aversive punisher
3. Negative punishment occurs when a reinforcer is removed, such as a privilege

Question 7

Generalization

Answer 7

Will similar behaviors bring about the same consequences?

1.The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to those that preceded reinforcement

Question 8

Discrimination

Answer 8

Only very specific behavior will generate a consequence

1. The tendency to make an operant response when stimuli previously associated with reward are present and to withhold the response when stimuli associated with nonreward are present

Question 9

Shaping

Answer 9

1. Use of discrimination to learn more complicated behaviors
2. Gradually molding responses to a final desired pattern

Question 10

Intensity

Answer 10

Those that are more intense will be more likely to result in behaviors being repeated in the future.

Question 11

Timing

Answer 11

Reinforcement and punishment are most effective when they rapidly follow a response.

Question 12

Consistency Varies

Answer 12

Varies when it comes to reinforcement

Question 13

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 13

Follows every correct response

Question 14

Continuous reinforcement

Answer 14

Does not follow every response
Responses acquired by partial reinforcement are highly resistant to extinction.

Question 15

Fixed ratio

Answer 15

1. The number of correct responses that a subject must give before reinforcement is permitted.
2. FR #, the number represents the number of responses it takes to get the reinforcer. EX: FR-3, every third response is reinforced.
3. The higher the FR the faster something will occur.
   EX: A rat that is on an FR-10 schedule will run off responses faster to get food.

Question 16

Variable ratio

Answer 16

1. A varying number of correct responses.
2. VR-4 would mean on average when 4 correct responses are given it is reinforced.
3. It could be more or less, but the average will always be 4.
4. MOST PRODUCTIVE AND MOST RESISTANT TO EXTINCTION.

Question 17

Fixed interval

Answer 17

1. An arrangement where the reinforcer id only given only when a correct response in made after a set amount of time has passes since the last reinforced response. During the time interval the response is not reinforced.
2. A rat on an FI-30 schedule will only be reinforced after 30 seconds no matter how many times in the interval it presses it.
3. Produces moderate response rates.

Question 18

Variable interval

Answer 18

1.A reinforcer is given for the first set of correct responses made after a varied amount of time has passes since the last reinforced response.
2. VI-30, an available reinforcement of a rat will be available for the first correct response made over a varying period.
3. Produces a slow, steady response rate that are highly resistant to extinction.

Question 19

Token economies

Answer 19

Systems for managing and altering behavior through reinforcement of selected responses.
Primary reinforcer: Produces comfort, ends discomfort, or fills an immediate physical need
Secondary reinforcer: Value in the ability to exchange for a primary reinforcer