7.2 Changing Behavior Through Reinforcement and Punishment: Operant Conditioning Flashcards
1
Q
operant conditioning
A
- learning that occurs based on the consequences of behavior
2
Q
Edward L. Thorndike
A
- the first scientist to systematically study operant conditioning
3
Q
law of effect
A
- the principle that responses that create a typically pleasant outcome in a particular situation are more likely to occur again in a similar situation, whereas responses that produce a typically unpleasant outcome are less likely to occur again in the situation
4
Q
Skinner box (operant chamber)
A
- a structure that is big enough to fit a rodent or bird and that contains a bar or key that the organism can press or peck to release food or water. It also contains a device to record the animal’s responses
5
Q
reinforcer
A
- any event that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a behavior
6
Q
punisher
A
- any event that weakens or decreases the likelihood of a behavior
7
Q
positive reinforcement
A
- strengthens a response by presenting something pleasant after the response
8
Q
negative reinforcement
A
- strengthens a response by reducing or removing something unpleasant
9
Q
punishment
A
- any event that weakens or reduces the likelihood of a behavior
10
Q
positive punishment
A
- weakens a response by presenting something unpleasant after the response
11
Q
negative punishment
A
- weakens a response by reducing or removing something pleasant
12
Q
continuous reinforcement schedule
A
- the desired response is reinforced every time it occurs
13
Q
partial (or intermittent) reinforcement schedule
A
- a schedule in which the responses are sometimes reinforced, and sometimes not
14
Q
fixed-interval schedule
A
- reinforcement occurs for the first response made after a specific amount of time has passed
15
Q
variable-interval schedule
A
- the reinforcers appear on an interval schedule, but the timing is varied around the average interval, making the actual appearance of the reinforcer unpredictable
