Skinner’s Rats Operant Conditioning - Part 2

Question 1

What did skinner’s research support, what did he conduct?

Answer 1

Skinner’s research supported operant conditioning. He conducted experiments with rats and pigeons in specially designed Skinner Boxes. Every time the rat activated a lever it was rewarded and from then on the animal repeated the behaviour.

Question 2

What did skinner demonstrate about rats and pigeons behaviour?

Answer 2

Skinner demonstrated how rat’s and pigeons’ behaviour could be shaped with rewards and shocks. Interestingly, Skinner found that if an animal was ‘full’ and perhaps bored, they wouldn’t continue with the behaviour.

Question 3

A variable ratio schedule where…

Answer 3

A variable ratio schedule where reinforcement is given after an unpredictable number of responses, rather than every time, prolonged and shaped behaviour better.