Unit 1 - LAA3 - Operant Conditioning Flashcards
According to Skinner, how is behaviour learnt?
Through consequences
Who argued that behaviour is learnt through consequences?
Skinner
What types of reinforcements are there?
Positive and negative
Positive and negative are types of what in operant conditioning?
reinforcements
Skinner believed that learning was what type of process?
active
Who believed that learning was an active process?
Skinner
What happens when humans and animals act on and in their environment according to operant conditioning?
consequences follow these behaviours.
If consequences are pleasant, what does that mean about behaviour?
It will be repeated
If behaviour is repeated, what does that mean about the consequences of their actions?
That they were positive consequences
If consequences are unpleasant, what does that mean about behaviour?
It will not be repeated
If a behaviour is not repeated, what does this mean about the consequences of their actions?
That they were negative.
Do reinforcements strengthen or weaken behaviour?
Strengthen
What strengthens behaviour according to operant conditioning?
Reinforcements (positive and negative)
Do punishments strengthen or weaken behaviour?
Weaken
What weakens behaviour according to operant conditioning?
Punishments
What is meant by positive reinforcement?
Increases the chance of a behaviour occurring again by providing a pleasant consequence or reward.
What is being described below:
Increases the chance of a behaviour occurring again by providing a pleasant consequence or reward.
Positive reinforcement
What is meant by negative reinforcement?
Increases the chance of a behaviour occurring again by removing (or escape from) an unpleasant stimulus.
What is being described below:
Increases the chance of a behaviour occurring again by removing (or escape from) an unpleasant stimulus.
Negative reinforcement
What is meant by punishment?
Decreases the chance of the behaviours occurring again by removing an unpleasant consequence.
What is being described below:
Decreases the chance of the behaviours occurring again by removing an unpleasant consequence.
Punishment
Decide whether the following is an example of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment:
A rat receives an electric shock to his brain, which creates pleasure every time he presses a bar. Before long, the rat is pressing the bar 50 times per minute.
Positive reinforcement
Decide whether the following is an example of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment:
Fred refuses to take out the rubbish so his mother refuses to allow him to watch his favourite TV show.
Punishment
Decide whether the following is an example of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment:
Andrew is upset because every time he goes to school he is bullied. Andrew’s mother noticed he complains he feels sick every morning and asks to stay home from school. His mother usually agrees.
Negative reinforcement
Decide whether the following is an example of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment:
Tim is learning to play the trombone. His parents say that each time he successfully learns a new piece he can have some money.
Positive reinforcement
Decide whether the following is an example of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment:
When a horn sounds, hamsters jump on the wheel in their cages and begin running. They know that if they don’t jump on the wheel, a blast of cold air will blow.
Negative reinforcement
How was positive reinforcement shown in Skinners rats experiment?
When the rat pressed the lever it would be rewarded with food. The rat would continue to press the lever to get the same reward of food.
How was negative reinforcement shown in Skinners rats experiment?
Electrical current ran through the floor of the box. When the rat moved and touched the lever, the current would stop. The rat would continue to press the lever to remove the unpleasant consequence of being shocked.
What is meant by token economies?
Form of behaviour modification designed to increase desirable behaviour and decrease undesirable behaviour with the use of tokens.
What is being described below:
Form of behaviour modification designed to increase desirable behaviour and decrease undesirable behaviour with the use of tokens.
Token economies
What is meant by Extrinsic motivation?
External motivation which comes from the environment.
What type of motivation is being described:
External motivation which comes from the environment.
Extrinsic motivation
Who/What can extrinsically motivate you?
Family, Friends, Teachers, actually rewards or avoiding punishments.
What is meant by Intrinsic motivation?
Internal motivation that comes from your own enjoyment, pleasure and interest.
What type of motivation is being described:
Internal motivation that comes from your own enjoyment, pleasure and interest.
Intrinsic motivation
What practical applications are there for operant conditioning?
The theory can be used to help create treatments and interventions in schools, prisons and hospitals to manage behaviour.
