Intro to Operant Conditioning Theory

Operant conditioning theory explains/predicts...

• how people or animals learn to "do" some things and not others

• how people or animals learn feel certain emotions by associating them with external events

• how people learn by watching others

• None of the above

An expected outcome for an event is called a ________________ in operant conditioning

• Social Influence

• Learning

• Consequence

• Reinforcer

In operant conditioning, which of the following is NOT true?

• It is active

• It is passive

• It only works if the person conditioning really knows what THAT person or animal finds pleasant or unpleasant

• the reinforcer or punishment should be presented as soon as possible after the behavior occurs

Conditioning is...

• a process

• creation of a predictable response

• done "intentionally"

• All of the answers are correct

The process that ____________ the likelihood of a behavior occurring again is most appropriately called ___________

• Increases, Trial and Error Learning

• Decreases, Shaping

• Increases, Reinforcement

• Decreases, Active Learning

An unpleasant consequence of a behavior that __________ the likelihood of that behavior occurring again is called _____________.

• Increases, Punishment

• Increases, Reinforcer

• Decreases, Punishment

• Decreases, Reinforcer

a problem-solving method in which multiple attempts are made to reach a solution. If the behavior “works” the behavior is repeated, if it doesn’t a new behavior is tried until success / solution is achieved.

• Trial and Error learning

• Avoidance Learning

• Operant learning

• Classical Learning

What is this called?

• Skinner Box

• Reinforcement Device

• Shaping Device

• None of the above

Small chamber created to conduct operant conditioning research with animals - a lever that an individual animal can operate to obtain a food or water within the chamber as a reinforcer.

• was key to the development of operant theory

• was called a "skinner box"

• provided both reinforcers (food) and punishment (shock)

• all answers are correct

The theory of operant conditioning predicts that....

• Anything that can be learned can be unlearned

• Anything that increases a behavior is called a punishment

• Anything that decreases a behavior is called a reinforcer

• Involuntary responses can be elicited by neutral stimuli after pairing