10 Questions
Operant conditioning is a type of learning that involves the modification of behavior through the use of ______, such as rewards or punishments.
consequences
This theory was developed by psychologist B.F. ______ in the mid-20th century and has since become a fundamental concept in the field of psychology.
Skinner
In operant conditioning, the focus is on the relationship between behavior and its ______.
consequences
Behaviors that are ______ (rewarded) are more likely to be repeated, while behaviors that are punished are less likely to occur in the future.
reinforced
Reinforcement and punishment can be ______ or negative, depending on whether a stimulus is added or removed following a behavior.
positive
For example, imagine a rat in a ______ box - a controlled environment designed for studying operant conditioning.
Skinner
When the rat presses a lever and receives a food pellet, this is an example of ______ reinforcement.
positive
Negative ______ occurs when a behavior is strengthened by the removal of an aversive stimulus.
reinforcement
An example of negative ______ would be taking away a child's favorite toy for misbehaving.
punishment
Overall, operant conditioning is a powerful tool for shaping behavior in both ______ and animals.
humans
Study Notes
Operant Conditioning
- Operant conditioning is a type of learning that involves modifying behavior through consequences, such as rewards or punishments.
- Developed by psychologist B.F. Skinner in the mid-20th century, it's a fundamental concept in psychology.
Key Concepts
- Focus is on the relationship between behavior and its consequences.
- Behaviors that are reinforced (rewarded) are more likely to be repeated.
- Behaviors that are punished are less likely to occur in the future.
Types of Reinforcement and Punishment
- Positive reinforcement: adding a stimulus following a behavior to increase its occurrence (e.g., receiving a food pellet for pressing a lever).
- Positive punishment: adding an unpleasant stimulus following a behavior to decrease its occurrence (e.g., receiving an electric shock for pressing a lever).
- Negative reinforcement: removing an aversive stimulus following a behavior to increase its occurrence (e.g., studying hard to avoid failing a test).
- Negative punishment: removing a desirable stimulus following a behavior to decrease its occurrence (e.g., taking away a child's favorite toy for misbehaving).
Applications of Operant Conditioning
- Can be used to shape behavior in humans and animals.
- Principles of reinforcement and punishment can be applied in various settings, such as education, parenting, and therapy.
- Individuals can modify their own behavior and influence the behavior of others by understanding operant conditioning.
Learn about operant conditioning, a type of learning that involves modifying behavior through consequences, such as rewards or punishments, developed by B.F. Skinner.
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