Classical/operant conditioning and B.F. Skinner's quadrants

Describe B.F. Skinner’s quadrants.

Positive: addition of stimuli

Negative: removal of stimuli

Reinforcement: encourage/increase behaviour

Punishment: discourage/reduce behaviour

What is the definition of classical conditioning?

Learning through association/unconscious learning

How does classical conditioning work?

Neutral stimulus (NS): a stimulus that elicits no response (ie ringing bell)

Unconditioned stimulus (US): a stimulus that triggers a natural response; has not been taught (ie food)

Unconditioned response (UR): a natural response to a specific stimulus; has not been taught (ie salivating)

Conditioned stimulus (CS): a stimulus that triggers a conditioned response

Conditioned response (CR): a natural response conditioned to be triggered by a specific stimulus

US + NS = UR; US is now a CS, UR is now a CR

What kind of conditioning is Pavlov’s experiment an example of?

Classical conditioning

What is the definition of operant conditioning?

Learning from consequence; see B.F. Skinner’s quadrants

What is the difference between classical and operant conditioning?

Classical conditioning means responding to the environment; operant conditioning means affecting it through choice

How did Pavlov conduct his experiment?

Dogs were put in secure harnesses in a secluded environment and presented with food (US); the frequency of salivation was measured

The dogs were then presented with a metronome clicking (NS); they did not salivate

The metronome was played just before introducing the food; after several repeats, the metronome (CS) triggered salivation (CR)

What is a functional analysis?

A procedure to determine conditions a behaviour happens under

Give 3 reasons why an animal might perform a problem behaviour

Attention

Food/toys

Avoid or escape a situation

Sensory reinforcement (boredom)

Communicate needs (ie exercise)

What is an ABC functional analysis?

Antecedent > Behaviour > Consequences

Antecedent: what causes the behaviour?

Behaviour: what is the behaviour?

Consequence: what happens afterward?

What are behavioural diagnostics?

Where we look at the bigger picture to see why a problem behaviour might be occurring (ie individual history, unmet needs etc)

What makes a reinforcer effective?

Timing: should be given as the target behaviour is being performed

Performance: should be given only when the targeted behaviour occurs

Uniqueness: all animals (inc. individuals) have different effective reinforcers

What is the most common form of training in collections?

Positive reinforcement training (PRT)

What is the definition of learning?

A change in behaviour resulting from practice/experience

What is the definition of training?

A change in behaviour resulting from a practice/experience dictated by humans