Week 6: Operant Conditioning: Introduction

Question 1

Law of Effect

Answer 1

Behaviours leading to a satisfying state of affairs are strengthened while behaviours leading to an unsatisfying or annoying state of affairs are weakened.

Question 2

Operant Conditioning

Answer 2

A type of learning in which the future probability of a behaviour is affected by its consequences.

Question 3

Reinforcer

Answer 3

Follows a behaviour and the future probability of that behaviour increases.

Question 4

Punisher

Answer 4

Follows a behaviour, and the future probability of that behaviour decreases.

Question 5

Extinction (Operant)

Answer 5

The weakening of a behaviour through the non-reinforcement of a previously reinforced behaviour.

Question 6

Discriminative Stimulus

Answer 6

A stimulus in the presence of which responses are reinforced and in the absence of which are not reinforced.

Question 7

Three-Term Contingencies

Answer 7

The discriminative stimulus, the operant behaviour, and the reinforcer/punisher. (ABC, notice something, do something, get/lose something).

Question 8

Discriminative Stimulus for Punishment

Answer 8

A stimulus that signals a response will be punished.

Question 9

Discriminative Stimulus for Extinction

Answer 9

A stimulus that signals the absence of reinforcement.

Question 10

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 10

The presentation of a stimulus following a response to increase the future strength of that response.

Question 11

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 11

The removal of a stimulus following a response which leads to an increase in future strength of that response.

Question 12

Escape Behaviour

Answer 12

The termination of an aversive stimulus.

Question 13

Advoidance Behaviour

Answer 13

Occurs before the aversive stimulus is presented and prevents its delivery.

Question 14

Positive Punishment

Answer 14

Presentation of a stimulus following a response, which then leads to a decrease in the future strength of that response.

Question 15

Negative Punishment

Answer 15

The removal of a stimulus following a response, that leads to the decrease in the future strength of that response.

Question 16

Primary/Unconditioned Reinforcer

Answer 16

An event that is innately reinforcing - born to like, not learned.

Question 17

Secondary or Conditioned Reinforcer

Answer 17

An event that is reinforcing because it has been associated with some other reinforcer.

Question 18

Generalized Reinforcer

Answer 18

A type of secondary reinforcer that has been associated with several other reinforcers. (ex: money, social attention).

Question 19

Intrinsic Reinforcement

Answer 19

Reinforcement provided by the mere act of performing the behaviour.

Question 20

Extrinsic Reinforcement

Answer 20

Reinforcement provided by some consequence thats external to that behaviour.

Question 21

When can extrinsic reinforcement undermine intrinsic?

Answer 21

When reward is expected, tangible, or given regardless of performance quality.

Question 22

When can extrinsic reinforcement enhance intrinsic?

Answer 22

When reward is verbal, or when tangible reward matches the quality of the performance.

Question 23

Natural Reinforcers

Answer 23

Reinforcers typically provided for a certian behaviour - expected consequences within that setting.

Question 24

Contrived or Artificial Reinforcers

Answer 24

Reinforcers that have been deliberately arranged to modify a behaviour. (Ex: watching tv once finishing chores).

Question 25

Shaping

Answer 25

The gradual creation of new behaviour through reinforcement of successive approximations to that behaviour.

Question 26

Learned Industriousness Theory

Answer 26

Hard work can become secondary reinforcer.