Operant conditioning Flashcards
Human behaviour
seek pleasurable experiences ◼ avoid negative experiences ◼ human responses are mainly influenced by stimulus events that follow the response (i.e., consequences of the behaviour).
behaviourism (watson early 1900’s)
measurement of directly observable and quantifiable events (behaviours and the environment). ◼ ignored ‘private’ unobservable events (e.g., thoughts, feelings). ◼ behaviour represented by basic stimulus-response units.
Black box approach to behaviour
Stimulus –> black box –> response (unit of behaviour)
‘Black box’ = mental processes within the person
that cannot be studied
behaviourism
◼ Use of animals ◼ Environmental conditions could be more easily controlled. ◼ Experimental research designs ◼ Objective, systematic methodology
Operant conditioning
responses are controlled by their consequences
◼ An example …
◼ studying
◼ is not a reflexive response (!!); stimuli that
govern it (exams and grades) do not precede it.
◼ influenced by stimulus events that
follow the response
according to skinner
Behaviour is emitted by the organism and
‘operates’ on the environment;
◼ whereas for classical conditioning, behaviour is
evoked by a given stimulus (simply reacts to it).
◼ Learning occurs because responses are influenced
by the outcomes that follow them.
edward L. thorndike
Instrumental learning ◼ responses may be a means of obtaining a desired outcome. ◼ to access food, cat needed to escape by responding in a particular way (pulling a wire / pressing a lever). ◼ escape = food reward. ◼ gradual decline in time taken to escape.
law of effect
behaviour that leads to satisfying consequences
is more likely to be repeated whereas
◼ behaviour that is followed by unsatisfactory
consequences is less likely to recur.
B.F skinner
repeat responses which are followed by favourable
consequences.
◼ Reinforcement occurs when an event
following a response increases tendency to
make that response.
Reinforcement
◼ Positive reinforcement refers to the
delivery of a pleasant stimulus (reward)
following performance of particular behaviour.
◼ Negative reinforcement involves the
removal of an unpleasant stimulus
following performance of the behaviour.
◼ Both forms of reinforcement increase the
likelihood of a behaviour being performed but
for different reasons.
Reinforcers
A reinforcer refers to any event that strengthens
behaviour it follows.
◼ primary or secondary
◼ Primary reinforcers: stimuli that are inherently
reinforcing because they satisfy biological needs
(e.g., food, water, warmth, sex, etc.).
Secondary reinforcers
previously neutral stimuli acquire reinforcing
qualities by being associated with primary
reinforcers
(e.g., money, rewards, good grades, attention).
◼ many material objects are secondary reinforcers
(e.g., fashionable clothes, nice car, jewellery, etc.)
Social reinforcers
Smiles, words of encouragement
Punishment
an event following a response decreases the
tendency to perform that response.
◼ positive or negative:
◼ ‘Positive punishment’ involves delivering an
unpleasant stimulus following the behaviour.
◼ ‘Negative punishment’ involves the removal of a
pleasant stimulus following the behaviour.
disadvantages of punishment
may suppress other behaviours without strengthening desirable behaviour. ◼ trigger strong emotional responses ◼ physical punishment can lead to increased aggressive behaviour.
