Operant Conditioning - AP Psychology
- What is a variable-interval schedule?
- Reinforcement is given at unpredictable time intervals. Unpredictable timing maintains consistent response rates.
- Determine type: Adding a positive stimulus to increase behavior.
- Positive reinforcement. Adding something pleasant strengthens the target behavior.
- What is positive punishment?
- Adding a stimulus to decrease an undesired behavior. Present something unpleasant to weaken behavior (typical punishment).
- What is a secondary reinforcer?
- A reinforcer that gains value through association with primary reinforcers. Learned reinforcer through pairing with primary reinforcers.
- What is an operant response?
- A behavior that is modified by its consequences. Voluntary behavior that operates on the environment for consequences.
- Identify: Slot machine payouts at casinos.
- Variable-ratio schedule. Payouts occur after unpredictable numbers of plays.
- What is a variable-ratio schedule?
- Reinforcement is given after an unpredictable number of responses. Unpredictable reinforcement creates persistent, steady responding.
- Identify which schedule: Reinforcement after unpredictable time intervals.
- Variable-interval schedule. Reinforcement timing varies randomly, maintaining steady behavior.
- Determine type: Removing a positive stimulus to decrease behavior.
- Negative punishment. Taking away something pleasant weakens the target behavior.
- What is a discriminative stimulus?
- A cue that signals the availability of reinforcement. Environmental signal indicating when reinforcement is available.
- What is a fixed-interval schedule?
- Reinforcement is given after a set amount of time. Predictable time-based reinforcement regardless of response frequency.
- Identify: A child receives a sticker for every completed homework.
- Fixed-ratio schedule. One sticker per homework creates a 1:1 response-reinforcement ratio.
- Identify which schedule: Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses.
- Variable-ratio schedule. Response count varies randomly before reinforcement occurs.
- What is positive reinforcement?
- Adding a stimulus to increase a desired behavior. Present something good to strengthen behavior (reward system).
- What is the Premack Principle?
- A more preferred activity can reinforce a less preferred activity. High-probability behaviors reinforce low-probability behaviors.
- What is a primary reinforcer?
- A reinforcer that satisfies a biological need, such as food or water. Naturally reinforcing because it meets basic survival needs.
- What is the law of effect?
- Behaviors followed by positive outcomes are strengthened, and vice versa. Thorndike's principle that consequences determine future behavior likelihood.
- What is the difference between primary and secondary reinforcers?
- Primary reinforcers satisfy biological needs; secondary reinforcers are learned. Primary are innate; secondary are learned through association.
- Identify: A paycheck received every two weeks.
- Fixed-interval schedule. Payment occurs every 14 days regardless of work frequency.
- Determine type: Removing a negative stimulus to increase behavior.
- Negative reinforcement. Taking away something unpleasant strengthens the target behavior.
- What is extinction in operant conditioning?
- The decrease in response when reinforcement is no longer presented. Behavior gradually weakens when consequences are removed.
- Identify: A dog gets a treat for sitting on command.
- Positive reinforcement. Adding a treat increases likelihood of sitting behavior.
- What is the role of a punisher?
- A stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Any consequence that makes a behavior less likely to occur again.
- What is a fixed-ratio schedule?
- Reinforcement is given after a set number of responses. Predictable reinforcement based on number of behaviors performed.
- Identify the effect of a fixed-ratio schedule on behavior.
- Produces high response rates with pauses after reinforcement. Predictable ratio creates brief pauses after each reward.
- Identify the effect of a variable-interval schedule on behavior.
- Produces slow and steady response rates. Unpredictable timing eliminates the scalloped response pattern.
- Identify which schedule: Reinforcement after every 10 responses.
- Fixed-ratio schedule. Reinforcement occurs after every 10th response consistently.
- Who is the psychologist most associated with operant conditioning?
- B.F. Skinner. Developed the modern framework for studying how consequences shape behavior.
- Identify the effect of a fixed-interval schedule on behavior.
- Produces responses that increase as the time for reinforcement approaches. Shows scalloped pattern with low rates early, high rates near deadline.
- Identify the effect of a variable-ratio schedule on behavior.
- Produces high and steady response rates. Unpredictable timing creates resistance to extinction.
- What is a reinforcement schedule?
- A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced. Determines timing and frequency of reinforcement delivery.
- What is the role of a reinforcer?
- A stimulus that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Any consequence that makes a behavior more likely to occur again.
- What is negative punishment?
- Removing a stimulus to decrease an undesired behavior. Take away something pleasant to weaken behavior (time-out, fines).
- Determine type: Adding a negative stimulus to decrease behavior.
- Positive punishment. Adding something unpleasant weakens the target behavior.
- Identify which schedule: Reinforcement every 5 minutes.
- Fixed-interval schedule. Reinforcement occurs at consistent 5-minute intervals.
- What is a token economy?
- A system where tokens are earned for desired behaviors and exchanged for rewards. Uses secondary reinforcers as intermediate rewards for target behaviors.
- What is negative reinforcement?
- Removing a stimulus to increase a desired behavior. Take away something unpleasant to strengthen behavior (escape/avoidance).
- What is shaping in operant conditioning?
- Reinforcing successive approximations toward a desired behavior. Gradually reinforces behaviors closer to the final target behavior.
- Identify: Checking phone for messages at random times.
- Variable-interval schedule. Messages arrive at unpredictable times, maintaining checking behavior.
- What is operant conditioning?
- A learning process where behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment. Consequences shape future behavior through systematic reward and punishment.