Operant Conditioning Flashcards
Operant Conditioning is learning is via…
Consequences
E.G. gaining rewards or receiving punishments, can modify and shape behaviours
Positive Reinforcement
Rewards for doing an appropriate behaviour.
What effect does Positive Reinforcement have on behaviour?
If behaviour is positively reinforced it is more likely to be repeated
Negative Reinforcement
Removing something unpleasant
What effect does Negative Reinforcement have on behaviour?
Negative Reinforcement strengthens a response in order to remove the unpleasant consequences
E.g. A rat will learn to press a bar to turn an electric shock off
Positive Punishment
Being given something negative
E.G. being shouted at
What effect does Positive Punishment have on behaviour?
Decreases the chances of the behaviour happening again, in order to decrease the chance of being given something negative
Negative Punishment
Having something removed
E.G phone confiiscated
What effect does Negative Punishment have on behaviour?
Decreases the chances of the behaviour happening again, in order to prevent having something removed
Shaping
The behaviour doesn’t just occur 100% correct the first time. It needs to be shaped
Token Economy
You get a reward for doing an appropriate behaviour
Fixed Ratio Reward Schedule
Where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of response
Variable Ratio Reward Schedule
A response is reinforced after a set number of times, then varies
Fixed Interval Reward Schedule
The reward of a first correct response only after a set interval, learning may take longer BUT the response rate is higher later on
Variable Interval Reward Schedule
This reward time varies following the first correct response
