4B - Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning

three phase learning process that involves an antecedent, behaviour and consequence.

Operant conditioning is a learning process where the likelihood of a particular behaviour is determined by the ______ of that behaviour

consequence

If the consequences are desirable the behaviour is ______

repeated

If the consequences are ______ the behaviour is not likely to be repeated

undesirable

Antecedent

a stimulus or event that comes before and often elicits a particular behaviour —> the trigger

Behaviour (in operant conditioning)

the voluntary actions that occur in the presence of the antecedent

Consequence

outcome of a behaviour that determines the likelihood of it occurring again

Reinforcement

a consequence that increases likelihood of a behaviour occurring

Punishment

consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring

Negative reinforcement

Taking away something bad

Negative punishment

taking away something good

Positive reinforcement

Getting something good

Positive punishment

Getting something bad

Order of presentation as a type of consequence

a reinforcement or punishment should always be consistent and occur after the desired response

Timing as a type of consequence

a punishment or reinforcement is most effective when given immediately after the response has occurred

Appropriateness as a type of consequence

Considering the personal characteristics of an individual and whether the stimulus will act as a reinforcer or a punishment for that specific individual

Stimulus generalisation

same behaviour is applied in a different stimulus in hopes of the same consequence

Stimulus discrimination

When a behaviour is only produced in response to the original stimulus

Difference between Classical and Operant conditioning regarding the role of the learner

Classical: Passive learner

Operant: Active Learner

Difference between Classical and Operant conditioning regarding the nature of response

Classical: Involuntary response

Operant: Voluntary response

Difference between Classical and Operant conditioning regarding the timing of stimulus and response

Classical: stimulus presented before the response

Operant: stimulus (consequence) presented after response (behaviour)