Operant Conditioning

Question 1

Reinforcer/ punishment

Answer 1

Something positive/ negative is added/removed in response to the desired/ undesired behaviour, therefore the behaviour is more/ less likely to be repeated.

Question 2

ABC

Answer 2

Antecedent - stimulus
Behaviour
Consequence - reinforcer or punishment

Question 3

Thorndike (200 years ago)

Answer 3

Studying how cats learn
Put string in a box and trapped a cat in it, pulling the string would release it
The cat started to learn
Instrumental learning ( consequence of behaviour dictates further repeating)
The law of effect ( behaviour w good consequence leads to repeating, behaviour w bad consequence leads to withdrawal)

Question 4

Skinner

Answer 4

Wanted to use reinforcement to shape the behaviour of animals by rewarding them for what he wanted them to do
Put rat in a Skinner box, a lever delivered food
When the rat pressed the lever it got food
Positive reinforcement
Skinner renamed instrumental conditioning as operant conditioning

Question 5

Strengths

Answer 5

Lots of lab experiments with operant conditioning in animals show consistent findings how to modify behaviour
Modern brain studies reveal brain systems that relate to reinforcement in humans
Firm evidence base supporting existence of operant conditioning in animal and human learning

Question 6

Weaknesses

Answer 6

Can explain more than classical conditioning but still incomplete as explanation for acqusition of all new behaviour
Can only explain how existing behaviours are strengthened and weakened not how they originate

Question 7

Types of reinforcer

Answer 7

Primary - occurs naturally and satisfied basic needs like food, water and shelter
Secondary - strengthens behaviour as they are associated with primary reinforcer e.g money to buy food
E.g tokens in prisons secondary reinforcer to exchange for primary reinforcers

Question 8

Schedule of reinforcement
Continuous reinforcement

Answer 8

Behaviour reinforcerd every time
Slow but steady response rate, behaviour extinguishes quickly

Question 9

Schedule of reinforcement
Fixed interval

Answer 9

Reinforcement at set times
Uneven response distinguishes quickly

Question 10

Schedule of reinforcement
Variable interval

Answer 10

Reinforcement after varying time intervals
Response rate high, extinguishes gradually

Question 11

Schedule of reinforcement
Fixed ratio

Answer 11

Reinforcement after a certain number of responses
Uneven response, extinction rapid)

Question 12

Schedule of reinforcement
Varying ratio

Answer 12

Reinforcement after a varying number of responses
Extinions occurs gradually

Question 13

What is successive approximation

Answer 13

Behaviour shaping