Operant Conditioning Explained

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Questions and Answers

In operant conditioning, what role do consequences play?

  • They only influence reflexive responses.
  • They primarily affect involuntary actions.
  • They determine whether a behavior is continued or stopped. (correct)
  • They have no impact on future behavior.

What is the definition of punishment in the context of behavior?

  • Any traumatic experience.
  • Any consequence that decreases a behavior. (correct)
  • Any reward that reinforces good behavior.
  • Any action that causes physical harm.

Why might the use of punishment be debated when trying to change behavior?

  • Punishment is the only way to ensure immediate behavior change.
  • Punishment is always more effective than reinforcement.
  • Punishment is considered harmless and ethical.
  • Reinforcement can achieve behavior change without the negative impacts of punishment. (correct)

What is the crucial distinction to understand about 'positive' in the context of consequences?

<p>'Positive' means something is added, not necessarily that it is desirable. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key difference between classical and operant conditioning?

<p>Classical conditioning emphasizes respondent behavior, while operant conditioning emphasizes operant behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In classical conditioning, what happens to reactions to unconditioned stimuli?

<p>They become associated with neutral stimuli. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Thorndike's Law of Effect states which of the following?

<p>Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was B.F. Skinner particularly interested in exploring?

<p>The impact of consequences on chosen behavior. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the operant chamber (Skinner box)?

<p>To allow detailed tracking of rates of behavior change in response to different rates of reinforcement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a primary reinforcer?

<p>A reinforcer that satisfies a basic biological need. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between positive and negative reinforcement?

<p>Positive reinforcement involves adding a stimulus, while negative reinforcement involves removing a stimulus. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a parent stops nagging their child once the child starts doing their homework, what type of reinforcement is this an example of?

<p>Negative reinforcement (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of shaping in operant conditioning?

<p>To guide an individual's actions toward a desired behavior (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) involve?

<p>Applying techniques of behavior modification to people in various settings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios represents positive punishment?

<p>A student is given extra homework for misbehaving in class. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Understanding the difference between positive and negative consequences is crucial in operant conditioning. Which statement accurately captures this difference?

<p>Positive consequences involve adding a stimulus, while negative consequences involve removing a stimulus. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of operant conditioning, how do secondary reinforcers gain their reinforcing properties?

<p>They become satisfying through association with primary reinforcers. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates the use of shaping?

<p>Training a dolphin to jump through a hoop by rewarding successive approximations of the behavior. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can punishment be made most effective, according to the text?

<p>By ensuring the punishment is both immediately and consistently applied. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Imagine a scenario where a student consistently arrives late to class. The teacher decides to implement a policy where for each late arrival, the student must stay after school for 15 minutes to help clean the classroom. According to the principles outlined, this consequence is an example of:

<p>Positive Punishment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Consider the following: A researcher is attempting to train a rat to press a lever in a Skinner box. The researcher initially rewards the rat for any movement it makes in the direction of the lever. As the rat begins to approach the lever more consistently, the researcher only provides a reward when the rat touches the lever with its nose. Finally, the rat has to press the lever with significant force to get a reward.

<p>shaping (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these answers is NOT a true statement about classical conditioning?

<p>It involves voluntary behavior (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A patient recovering from surgery is prescribed opioid painkillers. Over time, they find they need higher dosages to achieve the same level of pain relief. Is this an example of operant or classical conditioning and what is the mechanism at play? Consider both types of conditioning and select the most likely correct answer.

<p>Operant Conditioning; Negative Reinforcement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A team of researchers aims to use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to help a child with autism improve their social interaction skills. Which approach would be most aligned with ABA principles?

<p>Using a token economy system to reward the child for initiating and maintaining social interactions with peers. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these scenarios best describes operant conditioning?

<p>A child studies diligently to earn good grades, motivated by the praise and recognition they receive from their parents which is a secondary reinforcer. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Operant Conditioning

A type of learning where consequences determine the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Reinforcement

A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior.

Primary Reinforcer

Satisfies basic biological needs, like hunger or thirst.

Secondary Reinforcer

Becomes satisfying through association with primary reinforcers.

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Positive Reinforcement

A consequence that adds something desirable to increase a behavior.

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Negative Reinforcement

Strengthening a response by removing an undesirable consequence.

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Shaping

A process using reinforcers to guide actions toward a desired behavior.

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Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Applying behavior modification techniques to improve behavior.

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Punishment

A consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

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Positive Punishment

Adding something undesirable after a behavior to decrease it.

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Negative Punishment

Removing something desirable after a behavior to decrease it.

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Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely.

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Classical Conditioning

Occurs before the reflexive and involuntary response.

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Operant Conditioning

Occurs after we voluntarily engage in a behavior.

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Study Notes

Operant Conditioning

  • Operant conditioning is a type of associative learning

Consequences

  • Consequences determine whether a behavior is continued

Reinforcement vs Trauma

  • Reinforcement can change behavior
  • Punishment decreases a behavior
  • If trauma occurs from punishment, it was incorrectly administered

Types of Consequences

  • Positive and negative punishment both decrease behavior
  • Positive and negative reinforcement both increase behavior
  • "Positive" does not mean desirable

Classical vs Operant Conditioning

  • Classical conditioning involves respondent behavior, reflexive, automatic reactions such as fear or craving
  • These reactions to unconditioned stimuli become associated with neutral and conditioned stimuli
  • The experimental stimulus precedes the respondent behavior and triggers it
  • Operant conditioning involves operant behavior "operating" on the environment
  • Behaviors become associated with consequences which punish or reinforce the operant behavior
  • The experimental stimulus (consequence) follows the operant behavior

Thorndike's Law of Effect

  • Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely
  • Behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely

B.F. Skinner

  • B. F. Skinner explored and expanded Thorndike's principles
  • Skinner wanted to measure the effect of consequences on chosen behavior
  • Skinner questioned what creatures could be taught by controlling consequences
  • Skinner wanted to know what happens when the timing of reinforcement is changed

The Operant Chamber

  • The operant chamber (Skinner box) allows tracking of rates of behavior change in response to reinforcement

Principles of Reinforcement

  • Reinforcement increases behaviors
  • Reinforcement strengthens a preceding response

Reinforcement Types

  • Primary reinforcers satisfy basic biological needs like hunger or thirst
  • Secondary reinforcers become satisfying through association with primary reinforcers
  • Positive reinforcers strengthen a response by adding a pleasurable consequence
  • Negative reinforcers strengthen a response by removing an undesirable consequence
  • Positive reinforcement adds something desirable
  • Negative reinforcement ends something unpleasant

Shaping

  • Shaping uses reinforcers to guide an individual's actions toward a desired behavior
  • Shaping is often used to train animals
  • Shaping guides a creature through reward behavior that comes closer to the desired behavior

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

  • Applied behavior analysis applies behavior modification techniques to people
  • ABA can be applied to educational and business settings, and to treat autism
  • Token economies provide tokens for behaviors that are then exchanged for something rewarding

Punishment

  • Punishment decreases or weakens a behavior
  • Positive punishment adds something undesirable after a behavior
  • Negative punishment removes something desirable or enjoyable after a behavior
  • Punishment is effective if applied immediately and consistently

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