Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely; behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely

Shaping

procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

Reinforcer

any event that strengthens or increases the behavior it follows

Positive Reinforcement

are favorable events or outcomes that are presented after the behavior. In situations that reflect positive reinforcement, a response or behavior is strengthened by the addition of something, such as praise or a direct reward.

Negative Reinforcement

involve the removal of an unfavorable events or outcomes after the display of a behavior. In these situations, a response is strengthened by the removal of something considered unpleasant.

Primary Reinforcer

an innately (naturally) reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need

Secondary (or conditioned) Reinforcer

a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer

Continuous Reinforcement

the desired behavior is reinforced every single time it occurs

Partial Reinforcement

the response is reinforced only part of the time

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses. This schedule produces a high, steady rate of responding with only a brief pause after the delivery of the reinforcer

Variable-Ratio Schedule

a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses. This schedule creates a high steady rate of responding. Gambling and lottery games are good examples of a reward based on a variable ratio schedule

Fixed-Interval Schedule

the first response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed. This schedule causes high amounts of responding near the end of the interval, but much slower responding immediately after the delivery of the reinforcer.

Variable-Interval Schedule

a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed. This schedule produces a slow, steady rate of response.

Punishment

an adverse event or outcome that causes a decrease in the behavior it follows

Positive Punishment

sometimes referred to as punishment by application, involves the presentation of an unfavorable event or outcome in order to weaken the response it follows.

Negative Punishment

also known as punishment by removal, occurs when a favorable event or outcome is removed after a behavior occurs.

Edward Thorndike

Defined the Law of Effect

B.F. Skinner

Designed the operant chamber (Skinner Box) and explained the principles of Operant Conditioning

Overjustification effect

Effect of promising a reward for doing what one already likes to do; the reward may lessen and replace the person's original, natural motivation so that the behavior stops if the reward is eliminated.

Delay Discounting

the depreciation of the value of a reward related to the time that it takes to be released