Skinner Operant Conditioning Flashcards
Who is associated with operant conditioning
B.F. Skinner
What is operant conditioning
A learning process where behavior is shaped and maintained by consequences
What device did Skinner use in his experiments
The Skinner box
What were the main types of reinforcement in Skinner’s experiments
Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement
What is positive reinforcement
Providing a reward to increase the likelihood of a behavior
What is negative reinforcement
Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior
What is punishment in operant conditioning
An unpleasant consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior
What is continuous reinforcement
Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs
What is partial reinforcement
Reinforcing a behavior only some of the time
What did Skinner’s research with rats demonstrate
Rats learned to press a lever to receive food showing positive reinforcement
How did Skinner use negative reinforcement in his experiments
He conditioned rats to press a lever to stop an electric shock
What is a strength of Skinner’s research
It provided practical applications in areas such as education and behavior therapy
Why is Skinner’s research criticized for ecological validity
His experiments were conducted in artificial environments like the Skinner box
What ethical issues arise from Skinner’s experiments
The use of animals and exposure to potentially harmful conditions
What is a limitation of Skinner’s focus on external behaviors
It ignores internal processes like thoughts and emotions
