All Flashcards
Explain Positive Reinforcement.
Adding something pleasant to increase a behavior.
Explain Negative Reinforcement.
Removing something unpleasant to increase a behavior.
Explain Positive Punishment.
Adding something unpleasant to decrease a behavior.
Explain Negative Punishment.
Removing something pleasant to decrease a behavior.
Describe a Fixed-Interval schedule.
Reinforcement after a set amount of time; produces a scalloped pattern.
Describe a Variable-Interval schedule.
Reinforcement after varying amounts of time; produces a steady rate of behavior.
Describe a Fixed-Ratio schedule.
Reinforcement after a set number of behaviors; produces high rates of behavior.
Describe a Variable-Ratio schedule.
Reinforcement after a varying number of behaviors; produces the highest and most consistent rates.
What is the key difference between reinforcement and punishment?
Reinforcement increases behavior; punishment decreases behavior.
Why is partial reinforcement more resistant to extinction than continuous reinforcement?
Because the subject is used to not receiving reinforcement every time, so occasional non-reinforcement is less noticeable.
How does shaping work in operant conditioning?
It involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior.
Why does instinctive drift limit what you can teach an animal?
Because animals will revert to their innate behaviors, overriding learned ones.
Compare positive and negative reinforcement.
Both increase behavior; positive reinforcement adds something desirable, negative reinforcement removes something undesirable.
Compare positive and negative punishment.
Both decrease behavior; positive punishment adds something undesirable, negative punishment removes something desirable.
Compare fixed-interval and variable-interval schedules.
Fixed-interval has predictable timing, variable-interval has unpredictable timing; variable-interval produces steadier response rates.
Compare fixed-ratio and variable-ratio schedules.
Fixed-ratio has a set number of responses, variable-ratio has a varying number; variable-ratio produces higher response rates and is more resistant to extinction.
Compare reinforcement and punishment in terms of their effect on behavior.
Reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior, while punishment decreases it.
Compare shaping and chaining.
Shaping reinforces successive approximations of a single behavior. Chaining involves linking together separate behaviors into a sequence.
How is positive reinforcement used in dog training?
Giving a dog a treat for performing a desired behavior.
How is negative reinforcement used to treat anxiety?
Taking medication to remove anxious feelings, increasing medication use.
How is positive punishment used in parenting?
Giving a child extra chores for misbehaving.
How is negative punishment used in schools?
Taking away recess time for disruptive behavior.
Give an example of a fixed-interval schedule in everyday life.
Checking the oven frequently when baking, as the cake will only be ready after a certain time.
Give an example of a variable-ratio schedule in gambling.
Slot machines pay out after a random number of plays, keeping people playing.
How can shaping be used to teach a child to write?
Rewarding them for holding a pencil, then for making marks, then for forming letters.
How does learned helplessness relate to depression?
Repeated negative experiences can lead to a belief that one cannot control their environment, contributing to depression.
How can operant conditioning be used to improve workplace safety?
Rewarding employees for following safety protocols and punishing unsafe behaviors.
How can a token economy use operant conditioning?
Earning tokens for good behavior that can be exchanged for rewards.