Unit 3 Flashcards
Thorndike
Supernormal psychology of animals, law of effect
chicks and cats
Law of Effect
+4 elements
Behaviour is a function of consequences.
Four key elements: environment, behaviour occurring, change in environment post-behaviour, change in behaviour produced by this consequence
Metzgar
Released mice into habitat. Followed up with more mice, then released an owl; knowing the environment paid off.
Skinner Box
Chamber with a food-magazine that drops pellets of food into a tray
Operant Learning
instrumental learning, response learning, consequence learning, R-S learning;
when behaviour is altered by consequence
- behaviour is operating on environment
Reinforcement
increase in strength of behaviour due to consequences
Reinforcement = ↑Strength of behaviour ∵Consequences
Catania’s requirements
three req for experience to qualify as a reinforcement
1. Behaviour must have consequence
2. Behaviour must increase strength
3. Increased strength must be ∵ of the consequence.
Positive reinforcement
consequence of behaviour is the appearance/increase in intensity of stimulus
behaviour -> reinforcer -> increase behaviour
Positive reinforcer
Stimulus in positive reinforcement.
Usually sought out or positive
Reward learning
aka Positive Reinforcement; consequences are considered rewarding
Skinner dislikes this term
Negative reinforcement
the consequence of a behaviour is the decrease of intensity or removal of a stimulus
Negative reinforcer
Stimulus in negative reinforcement; usually escaped or avoided
Escape learning
aka Negative reinforcement from escaping
Behavioural momentum
Nevin’s term - behaviour that is reinforced many times is more likely to persist when obstructed
Primary reinforcers
Innately effective; Baum “phylogenetically significant events”
Unconditioned reinforcers
aka Primary Reinforcers
Satiation
when reinforcers lose their effectiveness
Secondary reinforcers
not innate but rather are the result of learning experiences
Conditioned reinforcers
aka secondary reinforcers
Generalized reinforcer
a reinforcer paired with other reinforcers
e.g., money
Natural reinforcer
spontaneously follow a behaviour
brush your teeth -> mouth feelings clean
Automatic reinforcers
aka natural reinforcers
Contrived reinforcers
provided for the purpose of behaviour modification
Motivating operation
anything that changes the effectiveness of a consequence
two types
Establishing operations
increase the effectiveness of a consequence
Abolishing operations
decrease the effectiveness of a consequence
ESB
electrical stimulation of the brain
Reward pathway
the septal region that separates the cerebral hemispheres