Psychology: Operant Conditioning Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is operant conditioning?

  • Learning by observing others.
  • Learning through reflexive responses.
  • Learning through associations between two stimuli.
  • Learning through rewards and punishments to reinforce or discourage behavior. (correct)
  • Who is credited with developing the theory of operant conditioning?

  • Albert Bandura
  • John B. Watson
  • B.F. Skinner (correct)
  • Ivan Pavlov
  • What is the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement?

  • Positive reinforcement decreases the frequency of behavior, while negative reinforcement has no effect.
  • Positive reinforcement removes something undesirable, while negative reinforcement adds something undesirable.
  • Positive reinforcement adds something desirable, while negative reinforcement removes something undesirable. (correct)
  • Positive reinforcement discourages behavior, while negative reinforcement encourages behavior.
  • Which schedule of reinforcement results in the highest response rate?

    <p>Variable ratio</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In observational learning, what term describes the individual who performs the behavior to be imitated?

    <p>Model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which psychologist is known for the Bobo Doll experiment, demonstrating observational learning?

    <p>Albert Bandura</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In operant conditioning, what is the purpose of punishment?

    <p>To decrease a behavior by introducing an unpleasant consequence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the process where an organism learns to respond only to a specific stimulus and not to other similar stimuli?

    <p>Discrimination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When does extinction occur in operant conditioning?

    <p>When reinforcement for a behavior is no longer provided, and the behavior gradually stops.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of reinforcement, what is a 'secondary reinforcer'?

    <p>A reinforcement that is learned and associated with primary reinforcers, like money or praise.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior by adding a desirable stimulus?

    <p>Positive reinforcement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Negative reinforcement involves removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main outcome of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

    <p>It increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of operant conditioning, __________ is a process where behavior is gradually shaped through successive approximations.

    <p>shaping</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match each type of reinforcement with its description:

    <p>Positive reinforcement = Adding a pleasant stimulus Negative reinforcement = Removing an unpleasant stimulus Punishment = Introducing an aversive consequence Extinction = Diminishing a behavior by removing reinforcement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which schedule of reinforcement leads to a more consistent response from a subject?

    <p>Variable interval</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An example of fixed-ratio reinforcement is receiving a reward after every third behavior.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one application of operant conditioning in behavior modification.

    <p>Training pets or modifying children's behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of reinforcement involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior?

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

    Positive punishment involves adding something to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main effect of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

    <p>To increase the likelihood of a behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In operant conditioning, positive reinforcement involves adding a __ to increase behavior.

    <p>stimulus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes negative punishment?

    <p>Taking away a privilege to decrease a behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match each type of reinforcement or punishment with its description:

    <p>Positive reinforcement = Stimulus added to increase behavior Negative reinforcement = Stimulus removed to increase behavior Positive punishment = Stimulus added to decrease behavior Negative punishment = Stimulus removed to decrease behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Punishment is always effective in shaping behavior in the long term.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A positive reinforcer is any stimulus that __ the probability that responses preceding it will be repeated.

    <p>increases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a fixed-ratio schedule?

    <p>Reinforcement after a specific number of correct responses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Partial reinforcement results in a slower acquisition of behavior compared to continuous reinforcement.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the process of reinforcing progressive steps toward a behavioral goal?

    <p>Shaping</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A ______ schedule provides reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time has passed.

    <p>variable-interval</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of reinforcement schedule is associated with the most rapid extinction of learned behaviors?

    <p>Continuous</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Immediate reinforcers are less effective than delayed reinforcers.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one example of a primary reinforcer.

    <p>Food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a fixed-interval schedule, reinforcement is given after the first correct response following a fixed amount of ______.

    <p>time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following reinforcement types with their characteristics:

    <p>Fixed ratio = Reinforcement after a set number of responses Variable ratio = Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses Fixed interval = Reinforcement after a set period of time Variable interval = Reinforcement after a varied amount of time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of extinction in operant conditioning?

    <p>Reduction in learned behaviors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Operant Conditioning

    • Operant conditioning is a type of learning where behavior is modified through reinforcement and punishments.
    • B.F. Skinner is credited with developing the theory of operant conditioning.

    Types of Reinforcement

    • Positive reinforcement refers to adding a desirable stimulus to encourage a behavior.
    • Negative reinforcement involves removing an undesirable stimulus to encourage a behavior.

    Schedules of Reinforcement

    • Reinforcement schedules determine when a behavior will be reinforced.
    • Variable ratio schedules result in the highest response rate because reinforcement is unpredictable, leading to consistent effort.

    Observational Learning

    • Observational learning involves learning by observing the behaviors of others.
    • The individual performing the behavior to be imitated is known as the model.
    • Albert Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment demonstrated observational learning.

    Punishment in Operant Conditioning

    • Punishment aims to decrease the frequency of a behavior by introducing an unpleasant consequence.

    Discrimination and Generalization

    • Discrimination is when an organism learns to respond to a specific stimulus and not to other similar stimuli.
    • Generalization occurs when an organism responds similarly to a range of stimuli that are similar to the original stimulus.

    Extinction in Operant Conditioning

    • Extinction occurs when reinforcement for a behavior is discontinued, leading to the gradual cessation of that behavior.

    Secondary Reinforcers

    • Secondary reinforcers are learned reinforcers that acquire value through association with primary reinforcers.

    Operant Conditioning

    • Operant conditioning is the process of learning through consequences of actions.
    • Positive reinforcement: increasing the probability of a behavior by adding a desirable stimulus.
    • Negative reinforcement: increasing the probability of a behavior by removing an undesirable stimulus.
    • Positive punishment: decreasing the probability of a behavior by adding an undesirable stimulus.
    • Negative punishment: decreasing the probability of a behavior by removing a desirable stimulus.

    Reinforcement

    • Reinforcement refers to any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior.
    • Immediate reinforcement is more effective than delayed, as short-term consequences are more motivating.
    • Primary reinforcers are innate and fulfill basic survival needs, like food, water, and shelter.
    • Secondary reinforcers are learned through association with primary reinforcers, like money, which can be exchanged for primary reinforcers.

    Schedules of Reinforcement

    • Continuous reinforcement occurs every time the behavior is displayed, leading to the most rapid acquisition but also the easiest extinction.
    • Partial reinforcement occurs only sometimes, leading to slower acquisition but greater resistance to extinction.
    • Fixed-interval schedules involve reinforcement occurring after a consistent time interval, resulting in decreasing response rates after each reinforcement.
    • Variable-interval schedules provide reinforcement after unpredictable time intervals, resulting in a steadier but lower response rate.
    • Fixed-ratio schedules involve reinforcement after a consistent number of correct responses, leading to high response rates immediately after reinforcement.
    • Variable-ratio schedules deliver reinforcement after unpredictable numbers of correct responses, resulting in the highest response rate.

    Shaping

    • Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior, gradually training an individual to perform the desired behavior.

    Extinction and Spontaneous Recovery

    • Extinction occurs when a learned response is extinguished after repeated performance without reinforcement.
    • Spontaneous recovery refers to the reappearance of an extinguished response after a period of time.

    Cognitive Factors in Learning

    • Cognitive learning emphasizes the importance of mental processes, such as understanding, insight, and cognitive maps, in learning.
    • Latent learning occurs without immediate reinforcement and is demonstrated when a previously learned behavior is shown later.
    • Observational learning involves learning by observing others and their behaviors, including their consequences.

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    Operant Conditioning PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the fundamentals of operant conditioning, including reinforcement types and schedules, as well as observational learning theory. It highlights key contributions from psychologists B.F. Skinner and Albert Bandura, making it essential for understanding behavioral psychology.

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