Psychology Chapter 4: Operant Conditioning

Questions and Answers

What is operant conditioning?

An increase or decrease in operant responses as a function of the consequences that have followed these responses (correct)

A decrease in operant responses as a function of consequences

Behavior that is only influenced by positive reinforcement

A method of training that only uses negative reinforcement

What is an operant?

Behavior that operates on the environment to produce a change.

What is a positive reinforcer?

Any stimulus or event that increases the probability of an operant when presented.

What does topography refer to in operant behavior?

The physical form or characteristics of the response. Signup and view all the answers

What is an operant class?

A class or set of responses that vary in topography but produce a common environmental consequence. Signup and view all the answers

Operant behavior is emitted in the presence of a discriminative stimulus.

True Signup and view all the answers

Respondent behavior is emitted by the presentation of a stimulus.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is a discriminative stimulus (SD)?

An event or stimulus that precedes an operant and sets the occasion for operant behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is differential reinforcement?

Reinforcement for any behavior other than a target operant. Signup and view all the answers

What is S-delta (SΔ)?

The stimulus that precedes the operant when it does not produce reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What does the contingency of reinforcement define?

The relationship between the occasion, the operant class, and the consequences that follow the behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is positive reinforcement?

A contingency that involves the presentation of an event or stimulus following an operant that increases the rate of response. Signup and view all the answers

What is negative reinforcement?

A contingency where an ongoing stimulus is removed by some response and the rate of response increases. Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms with their definitions:

Operant Conditioning = An increase or decrease in operant responses as a function of the consequences that have followed these responses. Positive Reinforcement = A contingency that involves the presentation of an event or stimulus following an operant that increases the rate of response. Differential Reinforcement = Reinforcement for any behavior other than a target operant. S-delta (SΔ) = The stimulus that precedes the operant when it does not produce reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Operant Conditioning Concepts

Operant conditioning involves the modification of behavior based on the consequences that follow, increasing or decreasing the likelihood of specific responses.
An operant operates on the environment to cause change; behavior is influenced by past outcomes in similar situations.

Positive Reinforcement

A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented, increases the probability of the operant response occurring.
Positive reinforcement involves presenting a stimulus after a behavior, leading to an increase in response rate.

Topography

Topography refers to the physical characteristics of a behavior, which can vary and still lead to the same outcome; for instance, different methods of pressing a lever.
The form of response is shaped by the contingencies of reinforcement, as specific conditions may encourage certain forms over others.

Operant Class

An operant class consists of various responses that can produce the same environmental effect but differ in execution.
Example: Turning on a light can be achieved in multiple ways, such as with different fingers or by verbal request.

Emitted vs. Elicited Behavior

Emitted behavior occurs voluntarily in the presence of a discriminative stimulus (SD) but is not forced by it.
Elicited behavior occurs in response to a specific stimulus and is typically reflexive, like conditioned or unconditioned responses.

Discriminative Stimulus (SD)

SD refers to a stimulus that signals the presence of reinforcement, establishing the conditions for operant behavior to occur.

Differential Reinforcement

This concept involves reinforcing behaviors that are not the target operant, effectively putting the target behavior on extinction while promoting alternative behaviors.

S-delta (SΔ)

An S-delta indicates a stimulus that signals the unavailability of reinforcement, leading to a reduced likelihood of the related operant response.

Contingency of Reinforcement

A reinforcement contingency outlines the relationship between the discriminative stimulus, the operant behavior, and the resulting consequences.
Experimentation with contingencies can help determine the effects on behavior by adjusting different components of the relationship.

Negative Reinforcement

Negative reinforcement increases response rates through the removal of an ongoing stimulus, categorized as escape or avoidance, depending on whether it removes an existing stimulus or prevents the onset of an undesirable one.

Positive Punishment

Positive punishment introduces an aversive stimulus following a behavior, aimed at reducing that behavior’s occurrence.

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Explore key concepts from Chapter 4 on 'Reinforcement & Extinction of Operant Behavior'. This quiz focuses on important terms such as operant conditioning and behavior modifications. Test your understanding of these concepts through interactive flashcards.