3.8: Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment.

Law of Effect

States that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated.

Reinforcement

Any event that strengthens or increases the frequency of a behavior.

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.

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

Refers to the ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond appropriately.

Generalization

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

Shaping

A method where successive approximations of a desired behavior are reinforced.

Instinctive Drift

Refers to 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

Occurs when an individual is exposed to uncontrollable and aversive events, leading to a perception of powerlessness.

Aversive Consequences

Involve the use of negative stimuli to decrease the likelihood of a behavior recurring.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Refer to the timing and pattern of delivering reinforcements after a desired behavior.

Scalloped Graph

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

Continuous Reinforcement

Every occurrence of the desired behavior is reinforced.

Partial Reinforcement

Only some occurrences of the desired behavior are reinforced.

Fixed Ratio (FR)

Reinforcement is delivered after a fixed number of responses.

Variable Ratio (VR)

Reinforcement is delivered after an unpredictable number of responses, varying around an average.

Fixed Interval (FI)

Reinforcement is delivered for the first response after a fixed time interval.

Variable Interval (VI)

Reinforcement is delivered for the first response after an unpredictable time interval, varying around an average.

Primary Reinforcers

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need, such as food, water, or warmth

Secondary reinforcers

learned reinforcers, such as money, that develop their reinforcing properties because of their association with primary reinforcers