Psychology: Operant Conditioning Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is positive punishment?

Removing a desirable stimulus following a behavior

Adding an undesirable consequence after a behavior (correct)

Encouraging a behavior through rewards

Ignoring a behavior to reduce its occurrence

Which of the following is a potential problem associated with punishment?

It only works in situations involving dangerous behaviors

It can effectively reinforce positive behaviors

It automatically instills self-control in individuals

It does not necessarily eliminate the desire to repeat a behavior (correct)

What is shaping in the context of operant conditioning?

A method of ignoring unwanted behaviors

Immediate reinforcement for every correct response

The process of reinforcing closer approximations to a desired behavior (correct)

Enhancing self-control by punishing behaviors

Which of the following describes continuous reinforcement?

Reinforcement follows every correct response Signup and view all the answers

What does a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement entail?

Rewards follow the first correct response after a defined time period Signup and view all the answers

Which reinforcement schedule is characterized by unpredictable rewards for correct responses?

Variable interval Signup and view all the answers

How does negative punishment function in behavior modification?

By reducing the likelihood of a behavior by removing a desirable stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What might be a result of punishment modeled by adults?

Increased aggressive behavior in children Signup and view all the answers

Why might partial reinforcement lead to persistence in behaviors?

Because the timing and predictability of rewards vary Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in learning new habits according to operant conditioning?

Self-control in managing thoughts and actions Signup and view all the answers

What defines operant conditioning?

A type of learning where frequency of behavior depends on consequences. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Law of Effect, behaviors that have favorable consequences will usually what?

Occur more frequently. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between positive and negative reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement increases behavior by adding a desirable stimulus, while negative reinforcement increases behavior by removing an undesirable stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of immediate reinforcement?

Receiving $10 for good grades immediately after the report card. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding primary and secondary reinforcement?

Primary reinforcement includes essentials like food and warmth, while secondary reinforcement includes learned values like money. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of punishment on behavior?

It decreases the likelihood of the behavior occurring again. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of operant conditioning, what does B.F. Skinner primarily contribute?

Fundamental principles of operant conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of negative reinforcement?

Taking a painkiller to alleviate a headache. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following illustrates delayed reinforcement?

Receiving a certificate for attendance at the end of the term. Signup and view all the answers

Which situation best represents the concept of a Skinner box?

A training environment with controlled stimuli and responses. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a type of learning where the frequency of a behavior depends on the consequences that follow it.
It involves both reinforcement (increasing behavior) and punishment (decreasing behavior).
Edward Thorndike developed the law of effect, stating that behaviors with favorable consequences occur more frequently, and those with unfavorable consequences occur less frequently.
B.F. Skinner proposed the fundamental principles of operant conditioning.

Reinforcement

Reinforcement is any consequence that increases the future likelihood of a behavior.
Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable stimulus after a behavior. An example is giving a child candy for good behavior.
Negative reinforcement occurs when an undesirable stimulus is removed after a behavior, increasing its likelihood. Removing a nagging sound when a task gets done is an example.

Punishment

Punishment is any consequence that decreases the future likelihood of a behavior.
Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus after a behavior. A child being scolded for misbehaving is a classic example
Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus after a behavior, decreasing its likelihood. Taking away a child's video game privileges is a form of negative punishment.

Schedules of Reinforcement

Continuous reinforcement involves rewarding a desired behavior every time it occurs. It's effective for establishing new behaviors. But if reinforcement stops, the behavior can quickly disappear.
Partial reinforcement involves rewarding a desired behavior some of the time. It's more resistant to extinction than continuous reinforcement.
- Fixed-interval schedules reward the first response after a set period of time.
- Variable-interval schedules reward the first response after an unpredictable period of time.
- Fixed-ratio schedules reward a behavior after a set number of responses.
- Variable-ratio schedules reward a behavior after an unpredictable number of responses.

Shaping

Shaping is reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the desired behavior, used to establish new behaviors.

Learning New Habits

Self-control is essential for learning and establishing new habits.
Exercising self-control in one area can positively influence other areas of life.

The Role of Cognition

Latent learning is learning that occurs but isn't apparent until an incentive to demonstrate it arises.
Overjustification effect results from rewarding a behavior that already naturally occurs, making it less intrinsically motivated.

Skinner Box

The Skinner Box is a laboratory apparatus used to study operant conditioning with animals, usually rodents.
The box contains components for delivering reinforcers (e.g., food) and/or punishers (e.g., shocks), and levers or buttons for animals to operate to receive reinforcers.

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Description

This quiz will test your understanding of operant conditioning, a learning process where behavior is influenced by consequences. Explore concepts such as reinforcement, punishment, and the contributions of Edward Thorndike and B.F. Skinner to this field. Assess your knowledge and deepen your grasp of these essential psychological principles.