Operant Conditioning

Question 0

Operant conditioning AKA…

Answer 0

Stimulus-response (S-R) theories

Question 1

Operant conditioning is…

Answer 1

An example of an associationist or connectionist theory of learning, relying on a connection between a stimulus and a response

Question 2

States that we become conditioned to give certain responses to a particular stimulus.
So we have learned to…

Answer 2

Act a certain way given a certain stimuli

Question 3

Likelihood of response is determined by how …

Answer 3

Strong the bond is between the stimulus and response

Question 4

Weak S-R link…

Answer 4

Response less likely

Question 5

Strong S-R link, response…

Answer 5

More likely

Question 6

Example of operant conditioning is…

Answer 6

Skinner’s rat
Changed the environment depending on their response, they received some form of reward or punishment - causes their behaviour to be repeated or not

Question 7

To create the link between the stimulus and response use a process called…

Answer 7

Reinforcement

Question 8

3 forms of reinforcement:

Answer 8

Positive
Negative
Punishment

Question 9

When a learner performs a desired outcome we must then …

Answer 9

Reinforce the S-R link

Question 10

Positive reinforcement is achieved by…

Answer 10

Rewarding the correct response

Question 11

(Positive)

Rewards are generally…

Answer 11

Extrinsic and may be tangible or intangible

Question 12

(Positive)

Given that we are all motivated to receive rewards we experience a…

Answer 12

Drive to repeat the action to gain the reward

Question 13

(Positive)

Performing an action that leads to success will also give an…

Answer 13

Internal reward (feelings of self-worth)

Question 14

Positive reinforcement can also motivate us to…

Answer 14

Repeat the action as it leads to these feelings

Question 15

Negative reinforcement strengthens the S-R bond by giving an…

Answer 15

Adverse reaction when the learner gives the wrong response

This is then stopped when they perform the action correctly

Question 16

Punishment seeks to break the S-R bond created by the performer because the…

Answer 16

Wrong response is given to the stimulus

Question 17

Shaping is where an action that is closer to the desired outcome is…

Answer 17

Rewarded by positive reinforcement
But an action furthest away receives negative reinforcement
Therefore the learner gradually moves closer to the desired outcome

Question 18

A coach/teacher can get the performer to produce the desired behaviour by…

Answer 18

Letting the student experiment the skill (trial and error)

By demonstrating a skill and allowing students to copy

Question 19

Criticisms of operant conditioning are:

Answer 19

Learner isn’t required to understand why - may be demotivated

Trial and error may lead to the wrong technique being adopted if it leads to initial success - unlearning = waste time

Learner may not know how to react when a stimulus is slightly different from those already experienced (due to lack of understanding)

Beginners do not react well to negative reinforcement and using punishment is not relative to someone skill learning