Operant Learning

These flashcards cover key concepts and facts regarding Operant Learning, Behaviorism, and related psychological principles.

Who mentored Edward Thorndike during his graduate studies?

William James, a renowned American psychologist known for Functionalism.

What is Thorndike's Law of Effect?

Organisms will repeat behaviors that lead to a satisfying state of affairs and resist behaviors that lead to an annoying state of affairs.

What was B.F. Skinner's view on free will?

He considered free will to be an illusion and believed that human actions are dependent on the consequences of previous actions.

What does operant learning refer to?

The process of strengthening or weakening behavior based on its consequences.

What are the four types of operant learning that Skinner identified?

Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment.

What is Positive Reinforcement?

Giving a reward for good behavior.

What is Negative Reinforcement?

Removing an aversive stimulus following a behavior to increase that behavior.

What is Positive Punishment?

Inflicting a consequence like spanking for poor behavior.

What is Negative Punishment?

Taking away a rewarding item for poor behavior.

How does operant conditioning differ from classical conditioning?

Operant conditioning involves voluntary behavior and reinforcement after the desired response, while classical conditioning involves involuntary responses and occurs before the stimulus.

What are Primary Reinforcers?

Reinforcers that fulfill a biological need and are not dependent on other reinforcers.

What are Secondary Reinforcers?

Reinforcers that acquire their properties through association with primary reinforcers, like money or praise.

What is a Motivating Operation?

Anything that changes the effectiveness of a reinforcer or punisher.

What factor does 'contiguity' refer to in operant learning?

The delay between a behavior and its reinforcing consequence, where shorter intervals generally lead to faster learning.

What impact do previous learning experiences have on behavior?

They can significantly influence whether behaviors exist or not, based on past reinforcement or punishment.