Operant Conditioning Flashcards
What is operant conditioning?
a learning process in which the strength of a behaviour is modified by the consequences following the behaviour
What experiment has been used to research operant conditioning? and what did he find?
Skinner’s Experiment. Skinner experimented on rats and pigeons, using food as a reward to train the animals to perform behaviours when the bell rang.
Skinner found that behaviour that is followed by pleasant consequences is likely to be repeated, and behaviour followed by unpleasant consequences is less likely to be repeated
How is punishment different from reinforcement?
Punishment: any stimulus that weakens or decreases the likelihood of a response (behaviour) occurring again.
reinforcement: any stimulus that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a response (behaviour) occurring again.
What are the differences between aversive punishment and response cost? +rats example
aversive punishment - occurs when an unpleasant stimulus is given/applied after an undesired behaviour occurs.
(e.g. rats given an electric shock after touching the lever)
response cost - occurs when a pleasant stimulus is removed after an undesired behaviour occurs.
(e.g. rats losing their food after touching the lever)
What are the differences between positive and negative reinforcement? + rats example
positive reinforcement - adding a pleasant stimulus after the desired behaviour is performed.
(e.g. rats rewarded with food after touching the lever)
negative reinforcement - removing an unpleasant stimulus after the desired behaviour is performed
(e.g. rats having electric shock turn off after touching the lever)
What method, reinforcement or punishment is more effective in attempts to change behaviour in operant conditioning? why?
Reinforcement is more effective when trying to make a behaviour change as it teaches correct behaviour, makes the learner feel appreciated, and increases motivation for change.
Punishments, however, can cause feelings of resentment, fear and increased aggression. It is only effective when brief, immediate and linked to undesired behaviour.
How can contiguity and contingency also influence operant conditioning?
contiguity- length of time between behaviour and consequence, but unlike classical does not have to be simultaneously but as close as possible for association to occur
contingency - refers to relationship between a response and a reinforcer/punisher, needs to be consistent and appropriate
What are the 2 different reinforcement categories of operant conditioning?+define
- Continuous Reinforcement – receiving reinforcement for every behaviour. (treat every time dog sits)
- Partial Reinforcement – receiving a reinforcement from time to time.
What are the 4 different schedules of partial reinforcements in operant conditioning? (with examples)
- Fixed Interval - reinforcement at a fixed rate, time-based (being paid weekly)
- Fixed Ratio - reinforcement dependent on how much is
done (being paid for every x items) - Variable Interval - unpredictable reinforcement based on time (fishing)
- Variable Ratio - unpredictable reinforcement based on number of responses (gambling)
How can different schedules of reinforcement affect learning, extinction and performance
If reinforcement is continuous, then stops, the behaviour quickly extinguishes
If reinforcement is intermittent (especially variable) then the behaviour takes longer to extinguish
How can operant conditioning be used in shaping behaviours?
Shaping is done through positive reinforcement to reward small steps that slowly build towards a larger goal. (e.g. teaching a child to ride a bike by first using a 3-wheeler, then training wheels than a real bike)
How can associations with consequences, with animals be more easily learnt with preparedness?
prepardness when training animals as they can most easily learn and retain behaviours that draw on their biological predispositions, or behaviours that come naturally to learn.
Using operant conditioning what is the placebo effect?
when a person’s physical/mental health appears to improve after taking a placebo. This can be explained by previous negative reinforcement. e.g. if you were given a pill that appeared to be a headache tablet, you would start to feel better as you previously felt better when taking a headache tablet
How is operant conditioning used in behaviour modification techniques?
By including reinforcement strategies either positive or negative to modify inappropriate behaviour with more positive behaviour over the long term.
