learning: operant conditioning

for exam

Who was the first to study voluntary behaviour and learning?

Edward Thorndike – created the Law of Effect: behaviours followed by pleasant outcomes are more likely to be repeated.

What is the Law of Effect?

Behaviours followed by pleasant consequences are more likely to be repeated.

What is the main difference between classical and operant conditioning?

• Classical: focuses on involuntary reflexes triggered by stimuli.

• Operant: focuses on voluntary behaviours shaped by consequences.

What is operant conditioning?

Learning through consequences (reinforcement or punishment).

What is the three-term contingency?

• SD – Discriminative stimulus (signal)

• R – Operant response (behaviour)

• SR – Reinforcer or Punisher (consequence)

What is a discriminative stimulus (SD)?

A signal that a response will be reinforced.

What is reinforcement (SR)?

Increases the likelihood of a behaviour.

What is punishment (SR)?

Decreases the likelihood of a behaviour.

What is positive reinforcement?

Adding something pleasant to increase behaviour (e.g., giving a reward).

What is negative reinforcement?

Removing something unpleasant to increase behaviour (e.g., taking pain away).

What is positive punishment?

Adding something unpleasant to decrease behaviour (e.g., scolding).

What is negative punishment?

Taking away something pleasant to decrease behaviour (e.g., removing a toy).

What is a Skinner box?

A chamber used to study animal behaviour by controlling stimuli and consequences.

What is shaping?

Gradually reinforcing steps that lead to a desired behaviour.

What is continuous reinforcement (CRF)?

Every response is reinforced.

What is intermittent reinforcement?

Only some responses are reinforced.

What is acquisition?

The initial stage of learning a new behaviour.

What is extinction?

The weakening of a behaviour when reinforcement stops.

What is spontaneous recovery?

The return of a behaviour after a pause, even after extinction.

What is generalisation?

Responding to stimuli similar to the original.

What is discrimination?

Learning to respond only to the specific stimulus.

What is delayed reinforcement?

Weakens learning if there’s a delay between behaviour and reward.

What is conditioned reinforcement?

A learned reinforcer (e.g., money) paired with a primary reinforcer (e.g., food).

What is behaviour modification?

Changing behaviour using reinforcement or ignoring unwanted actions.

What is a token economy?

Using tokens as rewards that can be traded for something valuable (e.g., snacks, outings).

What is programmed learning?

Self-teaching using immediate reinforcement and feedback.

What is biofeedback?

Learning to control bodily functions using real-time feedback (e.g., heart rate).

What is observational learning?

Learning by watching and imitating others (models).

Who created Social Learning Theory?

Albert Bandura.

What are the 4 components of modelling?

• Attention

• Retention

• Reproduction

• Motivation

What was the Bobo Doll experiment?

Children imitated aggression after watching aggressive models.

What are prosocial effects of observational learning?

Positive behaviours like sharing and helping are learned.

What are antisocial effects of observational learning?

Negative behaviours like aggression can be learned, often from media or punishment.