Operant Conditioning Flashcards
What is OC
Behaviour via reinforcement
Positive reinforcement
Adding of something pleasant
Negative reinforcement
Removal of something unpleasant
Positive punishment
Addition of something unpleasant
Negative punishment
Removal of something pleasant
Thorndikes law of effect
Positive response after behaviour - strengthen S-R bond
Negative response after behaviour
- weakens S-R bond
What is the ABC model
Antecedent - a stimulus that causes an organism to perform a learner behaviour
Behaviour - when someone performs a behaviour
Consequence - reinforcements (consequence) for that behaviour
Types of reinforcer
Primary - used for + and - reinforcement - when the reward given to us for showing desired behaviours satisfies a basic need
Secondary - something we have learnt to value over time such as money that can satisfy a basic need
Schedules of reinforcement
Fixed interval
Variable interval
Fixed ratio
Variable ratio
What is fixed interval
Behaviour is rewarded after a specific amount of time has elapsed
What is variable interval
Behaviour is reinforced after a random time on an inconsistent schedules e.g. Fruity
Most addictive schedule
What is fixed ratio
Response is only reinforced after a specific number of responses
What is a variable ratio
Where a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of behaviours
What do token economies show
Types of reinforcement in a practical context
E.g. In prisons - behave well, given tokens, exchange for reward
What is behaviour modification “shaping”
Works on OC
Aim is to remove undesirable behaviour via punishment
Replace with desirable behaviour via reinforcement
Rewarding - strengthens S-R bond, making it more likely to be shown again
Punishing - weakens S-R bond, making it less likely to be shown again
What is a Skinner box
Rat put in box, pushes lever
If lever gives food, continues to press lever
If lever shocks floor stop pressing lever
Acts as positive reinforcement / punishment
+ of OC
Lead to strategies to help those in society e.g. Token economies in prisons
Behaviourism so testable
Supporting evidence of Skinner box however, skinner uses animals in research
Shows how the consequences of our actions impact how we learn behaviour
- of OC
Uses animals in Skinner box which is hard to generalise to humans
Could be misused in social control to shape people’s behaviour unknowingly against their will
