Operant Conditioning Flashcards
What is operant conditioning?
A learning process in which the likelihood of a particular behaviour occurring is determined by the consequences of that behaviour.
What is the A-B-C of of operant conditioning?
Antecedent (the stimulus preceding a behaviour)
Behaviour (voluntary action in response to the antecedent)
Consequences (reinforcement or punishment produced as a result of the behaviour)
What are reinforcers?
A reinforcer is a stimulus that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a response.
What is reinforcement?
Reinforcement occurs when a stimulus increases the frequency of a response that follows, which can involve using a positive or negative reinforcer.
What are punishers?
A punisher is a stimulus that weakens or decreases the likelihood of a response
What is punishment?
Punishment occurs when a stimulus decreases the frequency of a response that follows which can be done through using a positive punishment or a negative punishment/response cost
What is a positive reinforcer?
A reward that provides a pleasant consequence, strengthening the likelihood of the response.
What is a negative reinforcer?
An unpleasant stimulus, that when removed, reduced or prevented, the likelihood of a response is strengthened.
What is a positive punishment?
The presentation of a stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a response occurring due to a negative experience.
What is response cost?
The removal a stimulus that decreases the likelihood of the response occurring again.
Punishment must be…
Brief, immediate and linked to the undesired behaviour and produce a positive behaviour to replace the negative behaviour in order to be effective.
