Operant Conditioning Flashcards
In operant conditioning, behavior becomes more or less likely depending on…
-consequences of a behavior
Who set the stage for the study of operant conditioning, and concluded behavior is controlled by its consequences?
-Edward Thorndike
Who started the approach of radical behaviorism, who believed to explain behavior, we should look outside the individual, not inside?
-B.F. Skinner
Operant responses can be influenced by what two types of consequences?
- reinforcement
- punishment
Define— reinforcement
-a stimulus that strengthens response or makes its more likely to recur
Define— punishment
-a stimulus that weakens response, or makes it less likely to recur
A stimulus does not reinforce if…
-it does not increase likelihood of response
Define— primary reinforcer
-a stimulus that is inherently reinforcing, typically satisfying a physiological need
Define— primary punisher
-a stimulus that is inherently punishing
When may a primary reinforcer be innefective?
-if the organism is not in a deprived state
Define— secondary reinforcer
-a stimulus that has required reinforcing properties through association with other reinforcers
Define— secondary punisher
-a stimulus that has acquired punishing properties through association with other punishers
Secondary reinforcers and punishers acquire their ability to influence behavior by being paired with…
-primary reinforcers and punishers
Secondary reinforcers and punishers are often called…..
-conditioned reinforcers and punishers
Define— positive reinforcement
-a pleasant consequence makes a response more likely
