Operant Conditioning Flashcards
Behaviour
An observable voluntary response that occurs in the presence of the antecedent stimulus. In operant conditioning, this occurs after the antecedent and is also known as the ‘operant response’.
Antecedent
The stimulus that precedes a specific behaviour, signals the probable consequence for the behaviour and therefore influences the occurrence of the behaviour.
Operant
A response (or set of responses) that occurs and acts on the environment to produce some kind of effect.
Consequence
An event that occurs after a behaviour in operant conditioning that affects future behaviour. It can involve either reinforcement or punishment.
Operant conditioning
An active learning process in which the likelihood of a particular behaviour occurring is determined by the consequences of that behaviour. Behaviour can be strengthened if the consequences are positive and weakened if the consequences are negative. The learner in operant conditioning is active.
Reinforcement
A consequence that strengthens the likelihood that behaviour will be repeated. Positive reinforcement is the application of a reward such as receiving a lolly for good behaviour. Negative reinforcement removing something unpleasant such as escaping a chore for good behaviour.
Punishment
A consequence that weakens the likelihood that behaviour will be repeated. Positive punishment is the application of something unpleasant such as hitting a child who has misbehaved. Negative punishment is the removal of something desired such as taking a toy from a child who has misbehaved. Negative reinforcement is also known as response cost.
Positive
Provision or application
Negative
Removal
3 factors that make a consequence effective
Order
Timing
Appropriateness
Order
A reinforcement or punishment should always occur after a desired response (and it should be consistent).
Timing
The punishment or reinforcement are most effective when given immediately after the response has occurred.
Appropriateness
Reinforcement such as a reward must actually be valued. Punishment must be fair and not too severe or it won’t be effectively linked with the behaviour (punisher will be resented instead.)
