Chapter 10: Operant Conditioning

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, operant consequences, and reinforcement schedules in Operant Conditioning.

Operant Conditioning

A form of learning in which the future probability of a behavior is affected by its consequences, occurring when organisms seek rewards and avoid punishments.

Skinner Box

An experimental apparatus containing a mechanism such as a lever and pellet dispenser, used to measure an animal's operant conditioning responses.

Reinforcement

A consequence following a behavior that increases the future probability of that behavior occurring again.

Punishment

A consequence following a behavior that decreases the future probability of that behavior occurring again.

Positive Reinforcement

A consequence in which a pleasant or rewarding stimulus is added to the environment following a behavior, increasing the future probability of the behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

A consequence in which an unpleasant or aversive stimulus is removed from the environment following a behavior, increasing the future probability of the behavior.

Positive Punishment

A consequence in which an unpleasant or aversive stimulus is added to the environment following a behavior, decreasing the future probability of the behavior.

Negative Punishment

A consequence in which a pleasant stimulus is removed from the environment following a behavior, decreasing the future probability of the behavior.

Shaping

The teaching of a complex target behavior through the reinforcement of successive approximations of that behavior.

Continuous Reinforcement

A schedule of reinforcement in which every response is followed by a reinforcer.

Partial Reinforcement

A schedule of reinforcement in which only some responses are followed by a reinforcer.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

A partial reinforcement schedule where a reinforcer is given after a fixed, predetermined number of non-reinforced responses.

Variable-Ratio Schedule

A partial reinforcement schedule where a reinforcer is given after a variable, unpredictable number of non-reinforced responses.

Fixed-Interval Schedule

A partial reinforcement schedule where the first response made after a fixed time interval has elapsed is reinforced.

Variable-Interval Schedule

A partial reinforcement schedule where the first behavior made after varying, unpredictable time intervals have elapsed is reinforced.