Skinner's Box, operant conditioning

Describe Skinner's Box

-Designed box and contained a lever for an animal (rat/pigeon) to press for food -Also had a speaker/light that could be used to trigger a behaviour and a shock generator to deliver electric shock in response to behaviour

Negative reinforcement

-Removing something nasty/uncomfortable in response to desired behaviour. -Results in behaviour being repeated, in order to escape nasty stimulus! EG, give rat a electric shock until lever is pressed. Rat presses lever again to ensure it avoids in future

BOTH types of reinforcement produce...

Repeated behaviour! BUT fears are typically acquired through classical conditioning. Maintained through negative reinforcement

Primary reinforcers

Used to satisfy a basic survival need e.g. food/sex/water

PUNISHMENT

weakens behaviour by presenting something unpleasant/painful whenever behaviour shown

Explain the ABC model

ANTECEDENT: Chamber could present stimulus (lights noises) that triggers behaviour BEHAVIOUR: Response that could be observed and measured as a result of the antecedent (lever pressing) CONSEQUENCE: Reward for punishment followed by behaviour (food/shock)

Positive reinforcement

Giving something pleasurable to animal following a desired behaviour, to make sure behaviour is repeated, e.g. giving food when rat pressed lever. Consequence of lever pressing is desirable, so will be repeated to gain more food!!!

When is the stimulus-response association learnt/repeated?

If consequence of pairing is positive one. -Negative consequence would weaken the stimulus-response link

Secondary reinforcers

Only fulfilling because associated w/t primary reinforcer e.g. money used to buy food!

BF Skinner developed theory of...

Operant Conditioning and recorded behaviour of animals in response to different consequences.