Skinner Flashcards
What approach did skinner use?
The behaviorist approach
What is operant conditioning?
A theory of learning where behavior is influenced by its consequences. Behaviour that is rewarded will likely be repeated and behaviour that is punished likely won’t
What is positive reinforcement?
Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed
What is an example of positive reinforcement?
A student receiving a sticker after tidying up
What is negative reinforcement?
Avoiding something unpleasant as a result of a behaviour
What is an example of negative reinforcement?
A child handing in homework to avoid getting a detention
What is a punishment?
An unpleasant consequence of a behaviour
What was the skinner box?
A box to test the theory of operant conditioning
A rat was placed in a cage with a small lever, a chute that would release pellets of food, and an electric floor
What happened during the Skinner box experiment?
(Positive reinforcement)
A rat was placed in a cage, every time it pressed the lever, a food pellet would fall into the dispenser.
The rats quickly learnt to go straight to the lever after a few times of being put in the box
What happened during the Skinner box experiment?
(Negative reinforcement)
A rat was placed in a cage with a current in the floor
As they moved around the cage, the rat hit the lever which immediately switched off the current
How did skinner use his box to test positive punishment?
The rats ceased their behaviour of pressing the lever when he began electrifying the floor
How was skinner able to use his box to test negative punishment?
He took away the reward (the food) to teach the rats to stop pressing the lever
