Operant conditioning (Main features) Flashcards
What is operant conditioning
operant conditioning is a theory that states that we learn from consequences of our actions.
Describe how the ‘Skinner box’ was used to test operant conditioning
Food pelets would be released as reinforcement when the animals learned to do something.
Some contained electrified floors to punish behaviour
Define reinforcement
the action of strengthining a behaviour by rewarding it
2 different reinforcement
Negative and Positive
What is positive reinforcement
Rewards desired behaviour by adding something pleasant, like food.
What is negative reinforcement
rewards desired behaviour by removing something unpleasant, like taking away pain.
What are the 2 types of reinforcements
Primary and secondary
What is primary reinforcement
where we are rewarded with a biological need, like food or water
What is secondary reinforcement
a reward we have learned to value and become associated with primary reinforcement, for example money.
Define punishment
An event that is used to weaken a behaviour.
2 types of punishment
Positive punishment and negative punishment
What is positive punishment
punishes undesireable behaviour by adding something unpleasant, like a slap or an electric shock.
What is negative punishment
punishes behaviour by removing something pleasant, for example being grounded or having your PS5 being taken away.
Give an example of how operant conditioning is used in society
The criminal justice system uses negative punishment, removing freedom, on anyone whom breaks the law.
What is a strength of operant conditioning
It is supported by many studies conducted on both animals and humans
Strength of operant conditioning: evidence of the research support
Researchers like skinner conducted 100s of lab experiments demostrating operant conditioning working on animals, like his 1948 esperiement on pigeons.
Brain studies have shown humans have brain systems that relate to reinforcement in humans.
Strength of operant conditioning: what does this evidence suggest
theres firm evidence supporting the existance of operant conditioning on both humans and animals.
Weakness of operant conditioning
It’s an incomplete explanation of learning.
Weakness of operant conditioning: evidence that it’s an incomplete explanation
It only explains how behaviours are strenghtened or weakened, it doesn’t explain the acquisition of the behaviour.
Weakness of operant conditioning: what does this evidence suggest
operant conitioning is only a partial explanation of learning.
Strength of application of operant conditioning.
Operant conditioning can be applied to schools and nurseries, aswell as childcare to reinforce good behaviour.
Strength of application of operant conditioning: evidence that shows this
Schools may give out a ‘golden star’ to a child who gets all his work completed.
Parents mayuse positive reinforcement reward their children by buying them a gift or giving them food as a response to desired behaviour.
