Operant Conditioning (unit 4)

Question 1

Operant Conditioning

Answer 1

method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior ex. a child is scolded for ignoring homework

Question 2

Negative (-) Punishment

Answer 2

occurs when an unfavorable event or outcome is removed after a behavior occurs, a punishment by removal ex. when a child misbehaves their parent takes their toy

Question 3

Chaining

Answer 3

breaks a task down into small steps and then teaches each step within the sequence by itself ex. a kid learning to wash their hands may start with learning how to turn the faucet on

Question 4

Positive (+) Punishment

Answer 4

Presents an unfavorable event or outcome in order to weaken the response it follows, punishment by application ex. spanking a child when he throws a tantrum

Question 5

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 5

Favorable event or outcome that are presented after the behavior response ex. giving a child a treat when they are polite

Question 6

Primary Reinforcers

Answer 6

occurs naturally and doesn’t require learning in order to work, often have an evolutionary basis that aid in survival ex. food, water, air, and sex

Question 7

Punishment

Answer 7

the presentation of an adverse event or outcome that causes a decrease in the behavior ex. getting your phone taken away

Question 8

Reinforcement Schedules

Answer 8

A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced ex. giving a child a piece of candy every time they use the potty

Question 9

Reinforcement

Answer 9

A consequence that follows an operant response that increase the likelihood of that response of reoccuring ex. giving praise, token rewards

Question 10

Discrimination (Operant Conditioning)

Answer 10

when different situations occasion different responses based off the contingency of reinforcement ex. when you tell a story to your friends but not to your gramma

Question 11

Secondary Reinforcers

Answer 11

Involves stimuli that have become rewarding by being paired with another reinforcing stimulus (learned through association) ex. verbal praise, stickers, toys, candy

Question 12

Extinction (Operant Conditioning)

Answer 12

occurs when a response no longer results in reinforcement, the reinforcement consequence stops ex. once a parent would scold their child when they hit, now they don’t

Question 13

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 13

The removal of an unfavorable event or outcome after the display of a behavior, response is strengthened by the removal of something bad ex. leaving early to avoid hitting traffic

Question 14

Spontaneous Recovery (Operant Conditioning)

Answer 14

the reemergence of conditioned responding to an extinguished conditioned stimulus after a period of time ex. the dog learns to sit when the trainer gives it food, the trainers stops giving food and the dog stops responding until one day the trainer offers food again and the dog sits

Question 15

Generalization (Operant Conditioning)

Answer 15

spreading the effects of the reinforcement on other similar responses to the one that resulted in the reinforcement ex. getting a cookie when you do the dishes so you also do the laundry

Question 16

Token Economy

Answer 16

Reinforcers that are symbols or tokens that can be exchanged for other reinforcers, material or priviledge ex. money, snacks

Question 17

Fixed-Interval Schedule

Answer 17

the first response is rewarded only after a specific amount of time, tends to respond more frequently as the reward time gets closer ex. a weekly paycheck

Question 18

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

Answer 18

Response is rewarded only after a specific number of responses ex. a child being given candy every 6-10 pages of a book they read

Question 19

Variable-Interval Schedule

Answer 19

occurs when a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed ex. checking your email

Question 20

Variable-Ratio Schedule

Answer 20

Response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses ex. gambling at a slot machine, gambling rewards unpredictably

Question 21

Overjustification Effect

Answer 21

Phenomenon in which being rewarded for something actually diminishes intrinsic motivation ex. if children are rewarded for drawing they are less likely to want to draw for fun

Question 22

Continuous Reinforcement

Answer 22

the repeated reinforcement of a behavior every time it happens, this can involve positive or negative reinforcement with the goal of encouraging certain actions ex. a child earns an hour of free time every time they complete a chore