Untitled Flashcard Set

Operant conditioning

A type of learning where behavior is shaped by consequences, with actions followed by rewards increasing and those followed by punishment decreasing.

B. F. Skinner

A psychologist who studied how consequences control behavior and expanded operant conditioning research.

Law of effect

Based on Edward Thorndike's principle, stating that rewarded behaviors are likely to be repeated while punished behaviors weaken.

Skinner box

A controlled chamber where animals learn behaviors by pressing levers or pecking keys to receive rewards.

Reinforcement

Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior happening again.

Shaping

Reinforcing small steps (successive approximations) toward a desired behavior until the full behavior is learned.

Discriminative stimulus

A cue that signals when a behavior will be reinforced, such as a green traffic light.

Positive reinforcement

Strengthens behavior by adding something desirable, like praise or food.

Negative reinforcement

Strengthens behavior by removing something unpleasant, like stopping an alarm or ending pain.

Primary reinforcers

Innately rewarding stimuli, such as food, water, or pain relief.

Conditioned reinforcers

Learned rewards that are linked to primary reinforcers, like money, grades, or praise.

Immediate vs. delayed reinforcers

Immediate rewards strengthen learning faster, while delayed rewards require self-control.

Continuous reinforcement

Reinforces every response, leading to fast learning but also fast extinction.

Partial (intermittent) reinforcement

Reinforces sometimes, leading to slower learning but stronger resistance to extinction.

Fixed-ratio schedule

Reinforces behavior after a set number of responses, resulting in high response rates with pauses.

Variable-ratio schedule

Reinforces behavior after unpredictable responses, resulting in very persistent behavior.

Fixed-interval schedule

Reinforces behavior after a fixed amount of time, causing stop-and-go behavior.

Variable-interval schedule

Reinforces behavior after unpredictable time intervals, leading to steady responding.

Scientific impact of Pavlov's work

Pavlov demonstrated that learning could be studied objectively using observable, measurable behavior.

Universal learning

Classical conditioning applies across species, aiding organisms in adapting to their environment.

Applications of classical conditioning

Environmental cues associated with drug use can trigger relapse, and foods paired with pleasure can create strong cravings.

Learned fears

John B. Watson showed that fears can be conditioned, as illustrated in the Little Albert experiment.