(a) the strength of a behavior is modified by the behavior's consequences, such as reward or punishment, and
(b) the behavior is controlled by antecedents called "discriminative stimuli" which come to signal those consequences.
Operant response - a response or behaviour of an organism that is voluntary and not associated with a particular stimulus. This response acts on or modifies the environment. For example, e.g. a person picking up a book to read.
Operant response - a response or behaviour of an organism that is voluntary and not associated with a particular stimulus. This response acts on or modifies the environment. For example, e.g. a person picking up a book to read.
Reinforcer - the reward given for a response in order to strengthen it and increase the likelihood of the response occurring again.
Positive reinforcer - a reward which strengthens a response by providing a pleasurable consequence such as praise or a chocolate bar.
Negative reinforcer - a reward which strengthens a response by removing or reducing an unpleasant stimulus such as taking away a house chore or homework.
Schedules of reinforcement: This refers to the frequency in which a response is reinforced in operant conditioning. There are different schedules of reinforcement within this type of learning.
Continuous reinforcement - when a satisfying response is reinforced every time.
Partial reinforcement - reinforcement which does not occur continuously. The reinforcement may be administered in the following ways:
Fixed ratio schedule - a satisfying response is reinforced after a set number of responses have been made, e.g. every fifth response.
Fixed interval schedule - a satisfying response is reinforced at regular time intervals e.g. every five minutes.