Chapter 8 Psych of Learning

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to operant conditioning, including theories, principles, and definitions relevant to the study of behavior.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process where behavior is modified by its consequences, including rewards and punishments.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without any obvious reinforcement and is not immediately reflected in behavior.

Expectation of Reinforcer

The anticipation that a certain behavior will lead to a specific reward.

Premack's Principle

More probable behaviors will reinforce less probable behaviors; for example, eating (more probable) can reinforce doing homework (less probable).

Reciprocal Contingency

A situation where certain behaviors must be performed for a specified amount of time in order to gain access to the next behavior.

Response Deprivation Theory

A theory suggesting that reinforcers are more effective when individuals are deprived of the behavior that is being reinforced.

Circular Definition

A stimulus that increase the future probability (strengths) of a behavior that it follows

How to break out of circular definition?

PREDICT

Why is there no solution in circular reasoning ?

There is no solution because it’s circular

Approached to break the circualarity

1. Need reduction theory (hull)

2. Drive reduction theory

Need Reduction Theory

A theory proposing that reinforcers serve to reduce a biological need, such as hunger.

Drive Reduction Theory

A theory suggesting that a primary reinforcer reduces a bodily drive, such as thirst or hunger.

Transituationality

The concept that a reinforcer in one situation should also reinforce in another situation.

Can operant conditions occur without a response or reinforcer?

NO - Thorndike

The role of the response

Wagon maze: learning without response

Tolman experiment

Group 1 never received food

Group 2 always recited food

Group 3 no food for first 11 days then food

• When food became available group 3 was as good as group 2

Do subjects develop an expectation?

Yes, Tinklepaugh proved this

What did Tinklepaugh do?

Had two monkeys and gave them both banana= happy monkey, after that gave only one monkey banana and the other lettuce. The one that got lettuce was mad and started to throw the lettuce back.

Why did the monkey throw the lettuce?

Expecting fairness

Premack Principle

The Premack Principle (sometimes called grandma's rule) states that a high-probability activity (one that a person is more likely to perform) can be used as a reinforcer for a low-probability activity (one that a person is less likely to perform). In simpler terms, to get a person to do something they don't want to do, you make it contingent on them doing something they do want to do. For example, 'You can play video games (high-probability) after you finish your homework (low-probability).'}],

Example of Premack Principle

Example: If a child prefers watching TV over doing homework, a parent might say, 'First, finish your homework, then you can watch TV.' In this scenario, watching TV (preferred activity) is used to reinforce doing homework (less preferred activity).

What is baseline behavior?

Baseline behavior refers to the typical or normal frequency, duration, intensity, or latency of a behavior before any intervention is applied. It serves as a point of comparison to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention. For example, if a student typically talks out of turn 10 times in an hour, that's their baseline behavior for talking out of turn.

Reciprocal Contingency

Each behavior must be performed for a given time in order to have access to the next behavior

Problem with Premack principle

Logical fallacy - problem because ratio becomes unrealistic or doesn’t match what the subject actually wants

What is the Bliss Point?

In behavioral economics, the bliss point refers to the ideal allocation of time or effort across available activities that maximizes an individual's total reinforcement or satisfaction. It represents the optimal balance of engaging in different behaviors to achieve the highest possible utility.

Microeconomics

Study of individual consumers

Operant Conditioning

Study of individual organisms

Optimization Theory

Organisms will behave in such a way to maximize subjective value (value each individual holds)

Optimization in Behaviroal Ecology

Animals want food BUT the want the least energy maximizes and to avoid danger

Elastic

amount purchases decrease as price increase

EX: Concert tickets

Inelastic

Amount purchases remains constant regardless of price increase

Ex: eggs, milk, addictive drugs