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Operant Conditioning definitions

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  • Operant Conditioning
    A learning process where consequences of actions determine the likelihood of those actions being repeated.
  • Law of Effect
    A principle stating that behaviors followed by rewards are repeated, while those followed by punishment are not.
  • Reinforcement
    Any event or stimulus that increases the probability of a behavior recurring in the future.
  • Punishment
    Any event or stimulus that decreases the probability of a behavior recurring in the future.
  • Positive Reinforcement
    Adding a stimulus to the environment to increase the likelihood of a behavior.
  • Negative Reinforcement
    Removing a stimulus from the environment to increase the likelihood of a behavior.
  • Positive Punishment
    Adding a stimulus to the environment to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.
  • Negative Punishment
    Removing a stimulus from the environment to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.
  • Primary Reinforcer
    A stimulus that satisfies a biological need, such as food, shelter, or comfort.
  • Secondary Reinforcer
    A stimulus associated with primary reinforcers through learning, like money or grades.
  • Reinforcement Schedule
    A pattern that determines how and when reinforcement is delivered for a behavior.
  • Fixed Interval Schedule
    A reinforcement pattern where rewards are given after a set amount of time, regardless of behavior frequency.
  • Variable Interval Schedule
    A reinforcement pattern where rewards are given after unpredictable time intervals.
  • Fixed Ratio Schedule
    A reinforcement pattern where rewards are given after a set number of responses.
  • Variable Ratio Schedule
    A reinforcement pattern where rewards are given after an unpredictable number of responses, leading to high response rates.