Operant Conditioning Flashcards
(20 cards)
Operant conditioning AKA…
Stimulus-response (S-R) theories
Operant conditioning is…
An example of an associationist or connectionist theory of learning, relying on a connection between a stimulus and a response
States that we become conditioned to give certain responses to a particular stimulus.
So we have learned to…
Act a certain way given a certain stimuli
Likelihood of response is determined by how …
Strong the bond is between the stimulus and response
Weak S-R link…
Response less likely
Strong S-R link, response…
More likely
Example of operant conditioning is…
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
To create the link between the stimulus and response use a process called…
Reinforcement
3 forms of reinforcement:
Positive
Negative
Punishment
When a learner performs a desired outcome we must then …
Reinforce the S-R link
Positive reinforcement is achieved by…
Rewarding the correct response
(Positive)
Rewards are generally…
Extrinsic and may be tangible or intangible
(Positive)
Given that we are all motivated to receive rewards we experience a…
Drive to repeat the action to gain the reward
(Positive)
Performing an action that leads to success will also give an…
Internal reward (feelings of self-worth)
Positive reinforcement can also motivate us to…
Repeat the action as it leads to these feelings
Negative reinforcement strengthens the S-R bond by giving an…
Adverse reaction when the learner gives the wrong response
This is then stopped when they perform the action correctly
Punishment seeks to break the S-R bond created by the performer because the…
Wrong response is given to the stimulus
Shaping is where an action that is closer to the desired outcome is…
Rewarded by positive reinforcement
But an action furthest away receives negative reinforcement
Therefore the learner gradually moves closer to the desired outcome
A coach/teacher can get the performer to produce the desired behaviour by…
Letting the student experiment the skill (trial and error)
By demonstrating a skill and allowing students to copy
Criticisms of operant conditioning are:
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
