Operant Conditioning and Learning

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to operant conditioning and learning as discussed in the lecture.

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning in which a behavior becomes more likely to recur if followed by a reinforcer or less likely to recur if followed by a punisher.

B.F. Skinner

Psychologist who elaborated on Edward Thorndike’s law of effect and developed principles of behavior control. Believed that human behavior is completely determined by environmental and genetic influences (radical behaviorism).

Law of Effect

Thorndike’s principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Operant Chamber (Skinner Box)

A chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer.

Reinforcement

Any event that strengthens the behavior it follows.

Shaping

An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer approximations of the desired behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Increasing behaviors by presenting a pleasant stimulus that strengthens the response.

Negative Reinforcement

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing an aversive stimulus which strengthens the response.

Primary Reinforcer

An innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need.

Conditioned/Secondary Reinforcer

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer.

Reinforcement Schedule

A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced.

Continuous Reinforcement Schedule

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Partial Reinforcement Schedule

Reinforcing a response only part of the time, resulting in greater resistance to extinction.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.

Variable-Ratio Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.

Fixed-Interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed.

Variable-Interval Schedule

A reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.

Punishment

An event that tends to decrease the behavior that it follows.

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of the layout of one’s environment.

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs but is not apparent until there is an incentive to demonstrate it.

Insight Learning

Solving problems through sudden insight, which contrasts with strategy-based solutions.

Observational Learning

Learning by observing others, also known as social learning.

Modeling

The process of observing and imitating a specific behavior.

Albert Bandura

Pioneering researcher of observational learning, known for his 'Bobo doll' experiment.