3.8: Operant Conditioning

These flashcards cover key concepts of operant conditioning, including definitions and examples of reinforcement, punishment, and related theories.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process developed by B.F. Skinner, through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.

Law of Effect

Proposed by Edward Thorndike, it states that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated.

Reinforcement

Any event that strengthens or increases the frequency of a behavior, which can be either positive or negative.

Positive Reinforcement

Involves presenting a pleasant stimulus after a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

Negative Reinforcement

Involves removing an unpleasant stimulus after a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

Punishment

Any event that weakens or decreases the frequency of a behavior, which can involve either positive or negative punishment.

Positive Punishment

Involves presenting an unpleasant stimulus after a behavior, decreasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

Negative Punishment

Involves removing a pleasant stimulus after a behavior, decreasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

Reinforcement Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond appropriately to specific stimuli.

Generalization

The tendency for a learned behavior to occur in response to stimuli that are similar to the original conditioned stimulus.

Shaping

A method used in operant conditioning where successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced.

Instinctive Drift

The tendency of an animal to revert to instinctive behaviors that interfere with a conditioned response.

Superstitious Behavior

Occurs when an individual associates a behavior with a consequence that is not causally related, due to coincidental reinforcement.

Learned Helplessness

A condition where an individual perceives a lack of control over aversive outcomes, leading to a failure to act.

Aversive Consequences

Negative stimuli used to decrease the likelihood of a behavior recurring.

Schedules of Reinforcement

The timing and pattern of delivering reinforcements after a desired behavior.

Continuous Reinforcement

A schedule where every occurrence of the desired behavior is reinforced; effective for initial learning but leads to rapid extinction.

Partial Reinforcement

A schedule where only some occurrences of the desired behavior are reinforced, which can be based on fixed or variable ratios and intervals.

Scalloped Graph

A characteristic pattern of responding that occurs when behavior is reinforced on a fixed interval schedule.