Operant Conditioning

What is the Law of Effect proposed by Edward Thorndike?

The idea that behavior is learned through either positive or negative consequences.

What is positive reinforcement?

A bespoke reward for behaviors that we want to repeat.

What is primary reinforcement?

The basics for survival, such as food, water, and shelter.

What is secondary reinforcement?

Something that is not needed but is wanted.

What is negative reinforcement?

Taking away an undesired stimulus.

What are the two types of punishment?

Punishment can be positive or negative reinforcement.

What is generalization?

When similar stimuli cause the same response.

What is discrimination?

Acknowledging the differences between two similar stimuli.

What is extinction?

When a conditioned response is no longer reinforced, resulting in failure to be elicited by the previously triggering stimuli.

What is shaping?

When reinforcement is applied gradually while working towards a large goal.

What is chaining?

Reinforcing pieces of a sequence or larger whole.