The Behaviourist Approach - Operant, Skinner Flashcards
What is operant conditioning?
- focuses on the consequences of behaviour
- uses punishment and positive/negative reinforcement
What research did Skinner conduct?
- used “The Skinner box” on pigeons and rats
- rats received +ve/-ve reinforcement
- rats would be hungry and placed inside the box
Describe ‘The Skinner box’.
- cage
- loud speakers
- lights
- lever
- door
- floor which could be electrified
What was the positive reinforcement in the Skinner box?
- when the rat pressed the lever, it would be given food pellets
- rats continue to press the lever to gain food
- rat learns pressing the lever leads to a reward
What was the negative reinforcement in the Skinner box?
- when rats pressed the lever, they’d be shocked via the floor
- rat avoids pressing the lever
- rat learns that pressing the lever leads to a punishment
Define extinction.
Behaviours don’t lead to any rewards, so the conditioned response stops
(ie pressing the lever leads to no rewards)
Define spontaneous recovery.
Learnt response reappears after extinction/rest period
ie rat pressed lever and food begins to be given again
Define schedules of reinforcement.
Different methods of reinforcement:
- Continuous: every time lever is pressed, a reward is received
- Fixed interval: reward only given during a fixed time
- Fixed ratio: lever must be pressed a certain number of times for reward to be given.
Evaluate operant conditioning.
(+) Paul and Lentz used token economy to treat sz patients. Has real life applications.
(+) Skinner used highly controlled conditions, establishes cause and effect.
(+) supported by the nurture side of the nature/nurture debate.
(-) Skinner ignores free will
(-) has ethical issues, psychological effects on animals
(-) rooted in behaviourist approach, ignores other approaches
