Operant Conditioning

Question 1

Operant Conditioning

(2)

Answer 1

• likelihood of a behaviour is determined by the consequences following the behaviour
• operant - any active and voluntary behaviour that operates on the environment to generate consequences

Question 2

Antecedent

(2)

Answer 2

• stimulus that precedes a specific behaviour
  e.g. the presence of the lever

Question 3

Behaviour

(2)

Answer 3

• voluntary response to the antecedent that results in a consequence
  e.g. pressing the lever

Question 4

Consequence

(3)

Answer 4

• follows the behaviour and affects the likelihood of the behaviour in the future
• positive or negative and punishment or reinforcement
  e.g. food pellets are dispensed (positive reinforcement)

Question 5

Reinforcement

(3)

Answer 5

• always increases the likelihood of the behaviour in the future
  positive reinforcement - adding a pleasant consequence
  negative reinforcement - removing an unpleasant consequence

Question 6

Punishment

(3)

Answer 6

• always decreases the likelihood of the behaviour in the future
  positive punishment - adding an unpleasant consequence
  negative punishment - removing a pleasant consequence

Question 7

Effectiveness of Consequences

(3)

Answer 7

• consequences should follow behaviour
• consequences should ideally occur soon after behaviour but can occur later
• consequences should be appropriate to the person