Module 16 operational thinking
Operational thinkingOperant Conditioning – A type of learning in
which the frequency of a behavior depends on the consequence that follows that behavior
The Law EffectDefinition: created by Edward Thornop, and
it states behaviors with favorable consequences are more likely to occur than behaviors with less favorable consequences.
B.F. Skinner – Developed the fundamental principles and techniques of Operant Conditioning and devised ways to apply them in the real worldExample: Teaching rats to press a bar for food
(positive reinforcement)
ReinforcementReinforcement – Any consequence that
increases the future likelihood of a behaviorPositive Reinforcement: Behavior followed by
positive event or state.Negative Reinforcement: Occurs when a
behavior ends in undesirable event or state.
PunishmentPunishment – Any consequence that
decreases the future likelihood of a behavior
Punishment can sometimes lead to fear and anxietyTime out Burned by hot stove
Types of ReinforcementPrimary Reinforcement – Something that
is naturally reinforcing such as food, warmth, and water
Secondary Reinforcement – Something that you have learned to value such as money
Reinforcement Procedures
ShapingShaping – When you positively reinforce
behaviors that move closer to the target behaviorYou have to provide encouragement even when
children fail at a task.You must also provide positive reinforcement
that moves closer and closer to the target behavior.
Discrimination and ExtinctionDiscrimination: ability to distinguish between
two similar signals or stimuli.Extinction: loss of behavior when no
consequence follows it.
Schedules of Reinforcement
Continuous Reinforcement Schedules – Rewards follow every correct response
Partial Reinforcement Schedule – Reward follows only some correct responses
Fix interval schedule Rewards only the first correct response after
some defined time period
Variable interval ScheduleRequires a period of time to pass before a
correct response is awardedEx: rat doesn’t know award interval
Fixed Variable RatioRequires a certain number of correct
responses before reinforcement occurs
Variable RatioRequires a number of correct responses
before reinforcement, but the number is unpredictable because of changes after each reinforcement
The Role of CognitionLatent Learning- Learning that occurs but is
not apparent until the learner has a incentive to demonstrate it
Cognitive map- mental representation of a place
Over justification effect- the effect of promising a reward for doing what one already likes to do. The reward may lessen and replace the person’s original, natural motivation, so that the behaviors stop if the reward is eliminated.
