Operant Conditioning (Individualistic Learning Theory) Flashcards
What is operant conditioning?
Learning from the negative or positive consequences of behaviour
How does BF Skinner believe behaviour is shaped?
By nurture, and that specific behaviour is learnt from the environment. Also by reinforcements and punishments, which can either be pleasant or unpleasant
What is positive reinforcement?
Where if a behaviour is rewarded then it’s likely to be repeated.
What are types of positive reinforcement?
Praise, Gifts , approval , affection
What is undesirable outcome?
Where behaviour ends up in an undesirable outcome such as punishment
What is the result of undesirable outcome?
Behaviour is weakened and likely to not be repeated
How did Skinner carry out his research?
Used his ‘skinner box’ where he showed how rats would learn behaviour and repeat it by being rewarded with food pellets.
How can operant conditioning be linked to crime?
If someone is rewarded for committing a crime then it’s likely they will repeat it. For example, if they’re rewarded financially or becoming accepted or respected by their peers
