Chapter 5: Operant Learning I- Reinforcement

operant behavior

1- behavior influenced by antecedent and consequence events
2- a generic class of responses influenced by antecedents, with each response in the class producing the same consequence.

antecedent

observable stimulus that is present before the behavior occurs

consequence

an observable stimulus change that happens after behavior occurs

contingent response

IF the behavior occurred → THEN the consequence followed.

two-term contingency

Two-terms: response and consequence

response-consequence contingency

describes the causal (IF-THEN) relation between an operant behavior and its consequence

reward-devaluation test

rewards are devalued to see if hypothesis that participants learn response-consequence contingencies

noncontingent response

occurs after a response, but not because the response caused it to occur

superstitious behavior

occurs when the individual behaves as though a response-consequence contingency exists when, in fact, the relation between response and consequence is noncontingent

reinforcer

the consequence that increases operant behavior above its baseline level

reinforcement

the process or procedure whereby a reinforcer increases operant behavior above its baseline level

reward

beneficial consequence that we think will function as a reinforcer, but we don't know yet if it will

Edward L. Thorndike (1874-1949)

first scientist to demonstrate that reinforcers increase the probability of behavior

exploration

When individuals are exposed to new contingencies of reinforcement, they tend to respond more variably - they explore in a trial-and-error way.

exploitation

behaving efficiently and rarely trying something new

punishers

consequences that decrease the probability of a behavior and are not reinforcers