Operant conditioning

Question 1

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 1

 Learning through the association of a behavior and its consequences (reinforcement or punishment).

Question 2

A pleasurable event that follows a response and increases the likelihood that the response will be repeated.

Answer 2

Reinforcement

Question 3

A positive consequence that follows a behavior (e.g., candy, money, a good grade, award, etc.).

Answer 3

Positive reinforcement

Question 4

The removal of an unpleasantstimulus that follows a behavior (e.g., cutting down homework, removing a chore, etc.).

Answer 4

Negative reinforcement

Question 5

What is Primary reinforcer?

Answer 5

One that fulfills a basic physical need for survival and does not depend on learning (e.g. food, water, etc.). 

Question 6

What is Secondary reinforcer?

Answer 6

It is learned by association with other reinforcers (e.g., money, praise, applause, smile, attention, etc.). 

Question 7

What is administered every time the behavior or desired response occurs? Responses acquired quickly.

Answer 7

Continuous reinforcement

Question 8

What is Partial (intermittent)  reinforcement?

Answer 8

Reinforcement in which only some responses are reinforced rather than all. Extinction resistant.

Question 9

What is Shaping?

Answer 9

Gradually reinforcing a desired behavior by reinforcing responses that become progressively closer to the desired response. 

Question 10

What is Extinction?

Answer 10

The weakening and eventual disappearance of a learned response that occurs when reinforcers are withheld.

Question 11

What is Discrimination?

Answer 11

Learning to distinguish between a stimulus that has been reinforced and other stimuli that may be very similar. 

Question 12

What is Generalization?

Answer 12

Learning to respond to stimuli that are similar to the stimulus that was originally reinforced

Question 13

What are factors influencing how quickly a response is acquired, response rate, and resistance to extinction?

Answer 13

1. The magnitude of reinforcement
2. The immediacy of reinforcement
3. The level of motivation

Question 14

What is Punishment?

Answer 14

An unpleasant event that follows a response and decreases the likelihood that the response will be repeated

Question 15

What is Positive punishment?

Answer 15

A negative consequence that follows a behavior (e.g., scolding, criticism, a fine, a prison sentence, etc.).

Question 16

What is Negative punishment?

Answer 16

The removal of a pleasant stimulus that follows a behavior (e.g., removing attention, affection, driver’s license, privilege, etc.).

Question 17

What are three factors that increase the effectiveness of punishment?

Answer 17

1. Timing
2. Intensity
3. Consistency

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of Punishmen?

Answer 18

1. The person harshly punished often becomes fearful, angry, and hostile toward the punisher.
2. Frequently leads to aggression.
3. Offers no model for appropriate behavior.