B F Skinner Box Experiment

Operant Chamber

Chamber with bar or key animal can manipulate to get food or water, reinforce while attached device records animals rate of bar pressing/key turning

Reinforcers

A Condition in presentation or removal of stimulus occurs after response (behaviour) strengthens that response or makes more likely to happen again in future

Positive Reinforcement

Stimulus presented after response that increases probability of response happening again e.g. getting paid for good grades

Negative Reinforcement

Removal of unpleasant or adverse stimulus increasing probability of response happening again. e.g. taking advil to get rid of headache

Punishments

averse/disliked stimulus occurs after behaviour and decreases probability or occuring again

Positive Punishment

Undesirable event that follows behaviour. e.g.

Negative Punishment

When desirable event ends or when item is taken away after behaviour. e.g. mobile phone taken away after failing multiple classes on progress report

Escape

correct behaviour removes noxious stimuli, e.g. turning off an alarm clock by pushing the snooze button

Active Avoidance

Behaviour avoids noxious stimulus, e.g. studying to avoid getting a bag grade

Schedules of Reinforcement

can be assessed in terms of rate at which behaviour is performed, response rate and how long it takes before behaviours become extinct, known as extinction rate.

Continuous Reinforcement (CR)

Proves highly effective when instructing new behaviour because it reinforces desired behaviour each time it happens. Establishes strong connection between behaviour and response

Partial Reinforcement (PR)

Once behaviour is established various schedules of PR can be used to strengthen that behaviour this can be fixed or variable, either interval or ratio

Fixed Schedule (FS)

Predictable schedule where lengths of time or number between reinforcement is set

Variable Schedule (VS)

An unpredictable schedule where the length of time or number set between reinforces changers

Ratio Schedule (RS)

Schedule dependent on quantity of responses needed before reinforcement is provided

Interval Schedule (IS)

Schedule reliant on length of time between reinforcement

Fixed Ratio (FR)

Reinforcement takes place after a set number of responses. e.g. being given free nail manicure after paid for six using member card number

Fixed Interval (FI)

Reinforcement takes place at fixed time intervals. e.g. when you’re paid for work every fortnight

Variable Ratio (VR)

When reinforcement takes place after number of unpredictable responses. e.g. students being rewarded for homework on occasions with lollies

Variable Interval (VI)

When reinforcement takes place at irregular time intervals. e.g. checking to see if your assessment mark is online