Operant Conditioning

Question 1

Operant Conditioning

Answer 1

Learning whereby the consequences of a voluntary action determines likelihood of future repetition

Question 2

Three Phase Model

Answer 2

Antecedent

Behaviour

Consequence

Question 3

Antecedent

Answer 3

Stimulus that occurs before a response (environmental stimulus)

Question 4

Behaviour

Answer 4

Voluntary response resulting from antecedent (response / action)

Question 5

Consequence

Answer 5

Result that indicates likelihood of that behaviour occuring again (outcome)

Question 6

Reinforcement

Answer 6

Any event that strengthens behaviour / response it follows

Question 7

Role of Reinforcers

Answer 7

Positive: Adds desirable stimulus (e.g. getting A on test increases chances of studying)

Negative: Removes undesirable stimulus (e.g. avoiding sunburn increases behaviour of applying sunscreen)

Question 8

Punishment

Question 9

Role of Punishers

Question 10

Schedules of Reinforcement

Answer 10

Continuous Reinforcement: Reinforces behaviour each time it happens, establishing strong connection between behaviour and response

Partial Reinforcement: Reinforces once behaviour is established to strengthen the behaviour. Can be fixed or variable, and can be interval or ratio

Question 11

Fixed and Variable Interval

Answer 11

Fixed-interval (predictable): Exact amount of time passes between each reinforcement (e.g. studying for weekly quiz)

Variable-interval (unpredictable): Varying amount of time passes between each reinforcement (e.g. checking emails)

Question 12

Fixed and Variable Ratio

Answer 12

Fixed-ratio (predictable): Reinforcement occurs after an exact number of responses (e.g. free meal after 10 purchases)

Variable-ratio (unpredictable): Reinforcement occurs after a varying amount of responses (e.g. lottery)

Question 13

Law of Effect

Question 14

Key findings from Law of Effect

Question 15

Law of Effect Procedure

Question 16

Key findings from Skinner Box

Question 17

Skinner Box Procedure