KK2: Operant conditioning

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning in which the likelihood of a voluntary behaviour occurring is determined by it's consequences

- learner is active

- voluntarily aware of the behaviour in response to a stimuli

Three-phases in operant conditioning

Antecedent

- Any environmental stimulus that triggers an action

Behaviour:

- any action

Consequences:

- the behaviour is less/more likely to occur again

Acquisition

Occurs when:

- association is made between the behaviour and it's consequence

- either strengthens or weakens the likelihood of a behaviour occurring again

During acquisition

-voluntary behaviour is strengthened by association with reinforcement

OR

- weakened by association with a punishment

Reinforcement

a stimulus from the environment

- increases the likelihood of response reoccurring

Positive reinforcement

when a behaviour is followed by adding a desirable stimulus

- a reward that strengthens a response by providing a satisfying experience

- increases the likelihood of the behaviour reoccurring

Negative reinforcement

when a behaviour is followed by the removal of a undesirable stimulus

- the removal/reduction/prevention of an unpleasant stimulus

- increasing the likelihood of the behaviour of occurring again

Punishment

a stimulus from the environment

- decreases the likelihood of the behaviour reoccurring

positive punishment

when a behaviour is followed by adding a undesirable stimulus

- decreases the likelihood of the behaviour occurring again

Negative punishment

when a behaviour is followed by the removal of a desirable stimulus

- decreases the likelihood of behaviour reoccurring