M4L2 Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning

Training to achieve the desired behavior that is not present.

Respondent behavior

Involuntary response to stimuli.

Operant conditioning

Training to achieve the desired behavior that is not present.

Respondent behavior

Involuntary response to stimuli.

Operant behavior

Behavior that produces the desired response.

Law of effect

Edward Thorndike believed that behavior would be repeated (even if by accident) if there was a reward.

Operant chamber/Skinner Box

This is a device designed by B.F. Skinner to contain an animal to observe its behavior in a lab. It is an enclosed box where an animal has to complete tasks in order to get food or water such as pressing a lever.

Shaping

A psychological behavior training that uses a similar behavior of the animal or person to reach the desired behavior.

Reinforcer

This is used to strengthen or increase the desired behavior.

Positive reinforcement

This is a positive stimulus, such as a reward, used to increase the frequency of the desired behavior.

Negative reinforcement

-This is strengthening the desired outcome by removing an adverse stimulus.

Positive punishment

Applying a consequence after an undesirable behavior in the form of additional stimulus to stop an undesired behavior.

Negative punishment

A consequence after an undesirable behavior in the form of removal of the stimulus.

Punishment

an unwanted response to an action to discourage a behavior

Reinforcement Discrimination

the ability to distinguish between similar stimuli

Reinforcement Generalization

Once there is a conditioned response a human or animal is likely to respond similarly to similar stimuli

Instinct Drift

when a learned behavior gradually returns to an innate behavior

Fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement

Used solely in operant conditioning to reinforce a response after a specific amount of responses, such as the teacher asks you a question, you answer it and are told "great job" each time (or every 2nd time).

Variable ratio schedule of reinforcement

Used solely in operant conditioning to reinforce a response a changing (not set) amount of responses, such as the teacher asks you a question, you answer it, you are told "great job" randomly--not every time..

Continuous reinforcement

Used solely in operant conditioning to reinforce a response each time. This is similar to fixed -ratio schedule of reinforcement except there is a positive reinforcement each time.

Partial reinforcement

Used solely in operant conditioning to reinforce a response at intervals.

Primary reinforcer

Biological reinforcers that bring pleasure such as food and drink.

Secondary reinforcer

A reinforcer that is not necessary and can be helpful or not. If the primary reinforcer is food and drink, the secondary reinforcer would be buying the food and drink.

Conditioned reinforcer (also called secondary reinforcer)

Reinforcers used mainly in humans such as grades or money.

Token economy

Using an item (such as tokens) to increase desired behavior or decrease undesired behavior in learning.

Reinforcement Schedule

how often a behavior is reinforced, this can be continuous, partial, fixed or variable

Fixed Interval Schedule

when a reinforcement is given after a specified amount of time has passed

Variable Interval Schedule

when a reinforcement is given after an unpredictable amount of time has passed

Learned Helplessness

a person or animal learns that they have no control over a situation even when they actually may have some control

Superstitious Behavior

conditioned behavior due to accidental reinforcement