AP Psychology Module 27

Reinforcement Schedule

A pattern that defines how often a desired response will be reinforced.

Operant Conditioning

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

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.

Shaping

An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior.

Variable-Ratio Schedule

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses.

Variable-Interval Schedule

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals.

Fixed-Ratio Schedule

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses.

Fixed-Interval Schedule

In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed.

Discriminative Stimulus

In operant conditioning, a stimulus that elicits a response after association with reinforcement.

Reinforcement

In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior if follows.

Positive Reinforcement

Increasing behaviors by presenting positive reinforces. A positive reinforcer in any stimulus that, when present after a response, strengthens the response.

Negative Reinforcement

Increasing behaviors by stopping or reducing negative stimuli. A negative reinforcer is any stimulus that, when removed after a response, strengthens the response.

Law of Effect

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

Operant Chamber (Skinner Box)

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.

Conditioned Reinforce (secondary reinforcer)

A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer; also known as a secondary reinforcer.

Partial (intermittent) Reinforcement

Reinforcing a response only part of the time; results in slower acquisition of a response but much greater resistance to extinction than does continuous reinforcement.

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Successive Approximations

Reward responses that are ever-closer to the final desired behavior.