Operant Conditioning

Question 1

OPERANT CONDITIONING

Answer 1

A learning process by which the likelihood of a particular behaviour occurring is determined by the consequences of that behaviour

Question 2

Theory of Operant Conditioning

Answer 2

Behaviour operates on the environment and our behaviour is instrumental in producing the consequences –rewards/punishments.

Question 3

What is A.B.C.?

Answer 3

Antecedent
Behaviour
Consequence

Question 4

Antecedent

Answer 4

“What happened before”

Question 5

Behaviour

Answer 5

“What happens”

Question 6

Consequence

Answer 6

“What happens after”

Question 7

REINFORCEMENT

Answer 7

Any stimulus (event or action) that subsequently strengthens or increases the likelihood of the response (behaviour) that it follows.

The reinforcer (consequence) comes after the behaviour

Question 8

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

Answer 8

Positive Reinforcer – stimulus that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a desired response by providing a pleasant or satisfying consequence

Question 9

NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

Answer 9

Negative Reinforcer: A stimulus that strengthens a response by the reduction, removal or prevention of an unpleasant stimulus.
The behaviour that removes or reduces the unpleasant stimulus is strengthened by the consequence (result).

Taking Panadol for a headache
Driving slow to avoid fine.

Question 10

FACTORS AFFECTING REINFORCEMENT

Answer 10

Order of Presentation
Timing
Appropriateness of the reinforcer

Question 11

PUNISHMENT

Answer 11

Punisher – an unpleasant stimulus (consequence) that when paired with a behaviour, weakens the response or decreases the rate of responding over time

Question 12

POSITIVE PUNISHMENT

Answer 12

The delivery of an unpleasant stimulus following an undesirable behaviour

EG: Getting a smack for throwing a tantrum.

Question 13

NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT

Answer 13

The removal of a pleasant stimulus following an undesired behaviour.

EG: If you drink drive, we will take away your license.

Question 14

Role of the Learner in Operant Conditioning

Answer 14

The learner is active – they actually have to do something to yield a consequence. They have some sort of control over the learning process.

Question 15

Timing of the Stimulus in Operant Conditioning

Answer 15

The behaviour occurs first and then comes the reinforcement or the punishment.
There can sometimes be a time difference between the two stimuli.

Question 16

Nature of the Response in Operant Conditioning

Answer 16

The response is usually voluntary but can be involuntary also.

Question 17

Acquisition in Operant Conditioning

Answer 17

Association is with an operant response (behaviour) to an antecedent and a consequence that follows the behaviour.