Multiple Choice
According to B. F. Skinner's research on operant conditioning, what did he conclude about the relative effectiveness of reinforcements and punishments in shaping behavior?
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6. Learning
Operant Conditioning
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the meaning of 'operant conditioning' as it is used in the counterpoint essay?
A
A technique that focuses on the unconscious motives behind behavior.
B
A learning process in which behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences, such as rewards or punishments.
C
A method of learning that occurs through association between two stimuli, typically resulting in a reflexive response.
D
A process where individuals learn by observing and imitating the actions of others.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of operant conditioning by recognizing it as a type of learning where behavior is influenced by the consequences that follow it.
Step 2: Differentiate operant conditioning from other learning processes, such as classical conditioning (which involves association between two stimuli) and observational learning (which involves imitation).
Step 3: Identify that operant conditioning involves behaviors being either reinforced (increasing the likelihood of the behavior) or punished (decreasing the likelihood of the behavior).
Step 4: Recognize that operant conditioning focuses on voluntary behaviors that are shaped and maintained by their consequences, rather than unconscious motives or reflexive responses.
Step 5: Conclude that the best description of operant conditioning is a learning process in which behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences, such as rewards or punishments.
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