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Operant Conditioning


Thorndike’s Law of Effect

The Basics of Operant Conditioning

  • Reinforcing Desired Behavior

    • Positive Reinforcers, Negative Reinforcers, and Punishment

    The Pros and Cons of Punishment: Why Reinforcement Beats Punishment

    Schedules of Reinforcement: Timing Life’s Rewards

  • Fixed- and Variable-Ratio Schedules
  • Fixed- and Variable-Interval Schedules: The Passage of Time

    • Discrimination and Generalization in Operant Conditioning

    Shaping: Reinforcing What Doesn’t Come Naturally

    Biological Constraints on Learning: You Can’t Teach an Old Dog Just Any

  • Trick

    • Key concepts for Module 16:



    Define and describe the major principles of operant conditioning, including primary and secondary reinforcers, positive and negative reinforcement, and punishment.

    Outline the schedules of reinforcement and define the operant view of generalization and discrimination, superstitious behavior, and shaping.

    Identify the limits of conditioning, such as biological constraints.





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