operant conditioning Flashcards
What is operant conditioning?
A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.
Who is the psychologist most closely associated with operant conditioning?
B.F. Skinner.
True or False: Operant conditioning involves voluntary behaviors.
True.
What is reinforcement in operant conditioning?
Any consequence that strengthens the behavior it follows.
What are the two types of reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement.
Fill in the blank: Positive reinforcement involves ________ a desirable stimulus.
adding.
Fill in the blank: Negative reinforcement involves ________ an aversive stimulus.
removing.
What is punishment in operant conditioning?
Any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
What are the two types of punishment?
Positive punishment and negative punishment.
Fill in the blank: Positive punishment involves ________ an aversive stimulus.
adding.
Fill in the blank: Negative punishment involves ________ a desirable stimulus.
removing.
What is a schedule of reinforcement?
A rule that determines when a behavior will be reinforced.
Name the four types of reinforcement schedules.
Fixed-ratio, variable-ratio, fixed-interval, and variable-interval.
Which reinforcement schedule provides reinforcement after a set number of responses?
Fixed-ratio schedule.
Which reinforcement schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses?
Variable-ratio schedule.
Which reinforcement schedule provides reinforcement after a fixed amount of time has passed?
Fixed-interval schedule.
Which reinforcement schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time has passed?
Variable-interval schedule.
True or False: Continuous reinforcement is a type of fixed-ratio schedule.
True.
What is shaping in operant conditioning?
The process of reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior.
What is a discriminative stimulus?
A stimulus that signals the availability of reinforcement following a behavior.
Fill in the blank: In operant conditioning, extinction occurs when ________ reinforcement is no longer provided.
reinforcement.
What is spontaneous recovery in the context of operant conditioning?
The reappearance of a previously extinguished behavior after a pause.
True or False: Operant conditioning can be applied in educational settings.
True.
What is the primary goal of operant conditioning?
To increase or decrease a specific behavior.
What is a token economy?
A system of behavior modification based on the systematic reinforcement of target behavior.
Fill in the blank: In a token economy, tokens can be exchanged for ________ or privileges.
rewards.
What role does reinforcement play in behavior modification?
It encourages the repetition of desired behaviors.
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in the context of operant conditioning?
Intrinsic motivation comes from within the individual, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards.
True or False: Overjustification effect occurs when external rewards decrease intrinsic motivation.
True.
What is the significance of the Skinner Box in operant conditioning research?
It was used to study the behavior of animals and the effects of reinforcement and punishment.
What is the main criticism of operant conditioning?
It may oversimplify complex human behaviors and ignore cognitive processes.
