Flashcards
Module 20
Cards in this deck (16)
- 1Operant ConditioningA type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer, or diminished if followed by a punisher.
- 2Law of EffectThorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.
- 3Operant ChamberIn operant conditioning research, a chamber (the Skinner Box) containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animal's rate of bar pressing or key pecking.
- 4ReinforcementIn operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows.
- 5ShapingAn operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.
- 6Positive ReinforcementIncreasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforcers; a positive reinforcer is any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.
- 7Negative ReinforcementIncreasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli; a negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response (NOT a punishment).
- 8Primary ReinforcerAn innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need.
- 9Conditioned ReinforcerA stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer (a secondary reinforcer).
- 10Reinforcement ScheduleA pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced.
- 11Continuous Reinforcement ScheduleReinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.
- 12Partial Reinforcement ScheduleReinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.
- 13Fixed-Ratio ScheduleIn operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.
- 14Variable-Ratio ScheduleIn operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.
- 15Fixed-Interval ScheduleIn operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time as elapsed.
- 16Variable-Interval ScheduleIn operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.