ET: 6-3 Predict the effects of operant conditioning

positive reinforcement

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive stimuli, such as food; any stimulus that, when presented after a response, strengthens the response.

negative reinforcement

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli, such as shock; any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response

law of effect

Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely

discriminative studies

a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement

conditioned reinforcer

a stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; AKA secondary reinforcer

operant conditioning

a type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished if followed by a punisher

positive punishment

administer an aversive stimulus

punishment

an event that tends to decrease the behavior that it follows

primary reinforcer

an innately reinforcing stimulus, such as one that satisfies a biological need

operant chamber

in operant conditioning research, a chamber containing a bar or key that an animal can manipulate to obtain a food or water reinforcer; attached devices record the animal's rate of bar pressing or key pecking

reinforcement

in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows

negative punishment

withdraw a rewarding stimulus