An operant response is a behavior that is modifiable by its consequences. When behavior is modified by its consequences, the probability of that behavior occurring again may either increase (in the case of reinforcement) or decrease (in the case of punishment).
For example, speeding through a red light may lead to getting struck broadside by another vehicle. If this consequence follows such a response, then the likelihood of a person's responding in the same way under similar conditions should drop significantly.
It is also possible for temporal or topographical properties of behavior to be modified by reinforcement (in the case of response differentiation).
Quotations
Free Operant
Once an operant response occurs, it may be "free" or available to occur again without obstacle or delay. This would be the case, for example, of someone picking up a stone from a rocky beach and skipping it across the water.
Other operants are only available for very limited periods of time and cannot be freely repeated. This would be the case, for example, of someone wishing their friend a happy birthday.
Operant Level
Operant behaviors occur at some base rate prior to reinforcement. This unconditioned level of responding is called the operant level.
The operant level is one of a number of ways (like the yoked control) in which we can determine whether or not changes in the occurrence of the operant response are due to the prevailing contingencies of reinforcement.
Glossary Index
Classical conditioning | a learning procedure in which associations are made between a natural stimulus and a neutral stimulus |
Neutral stimulus | a stimulus that does not initially elicit any part of the unconditioned response |
Unconditioned stimulus | an event that elicits a certain predictable response without precious training |
Unconditioned response | an organisms automatic reaction to a stimulus |
Conditioned stimulus | - a once neutral event that elicits a given response after a period of training in which it has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus |
Conditioned response | a response elicited by the conditioned stimulus it is similar to the unconditioned response but not identical in magnitude or amount |
Generalization | in classical conditioning the tendency for a stimulus that is similar to the original conditioned stimulus to elicit a response that is similar to the conditioned response |
Discrimination | the ability to respond differently to similar but distinct stimuli the unequal treatment of individuals on the basis of their race, ethnic group, age, gender or membership in another category rather than on the basis of individual |
Extinction | in classical conditioning the gradual disappearance of a conditioned response because other reinforcement is withheld or because the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus |
Operant conditioning | a form of learning in which a certain action is reinforced or punished resulting in corresponding increases or decreases in the likelihood those similar actions will never occur again |
Reinforcement | a stimulus or event that follows a response and increases the likelihood that the response will be repeated |
Primary reinforcer | a stimulus such as food or water that is naturally rewarding and satisfying and requires no learning on the part of the subject to become pleasurable |
Secondary reinforcer | a stimulus such as money that becomes rewarding through its link with a primary reinforcer |
Fixed-ratio schedule | a pattern of reinforcement in which a specific number of correct responses is required before a response will elicit reinforcement |
Variable interval schedule | a pattern of reinforcement in which an unpredictable number of responses is required before reinforcement can be obtained each time |
Shaping | technique of operant conditioning in which the desired behavior is molded by first rewarding any act similar to that behavior and then requiring ever closer approximations to the desired behavior before giving the reward |
Response chain | the learned reactions that follow one another in sequence each reaction producing the signal for the next |
Aversive control | process of influencing behavior by means of unpleasant stimuli |
Negative reinforcement | increasing the strength of a given response by removing or preventing a painful stimulus when the response occurs |
Escape conditioning | the training of an organism to remove or terminate an unpleasant stimulus |
Avoidance conditioning | the training of an organism to withdraw from or prevent an unpleasant stimulus before it starts |
Social learning | form of learning in which the organism observes, explores, and imitates the behavior of others |
Cognitive learning | a form of learning that involves mental processes and may result from observation or imitation |
Cognitive map | a mental picture of spatial relationships or relationships between events |
Latent learning | learning that is not demonstrated by an immediate, observable change In behavior |
Learned helplessness | a condition in which repeated attempts to control or influence a situation fail resulting in the belief that the situation is uncontrollable and that any effort to cope will fail |
Modeling | the process of learning behavior through observation and imitation of others; copying behavior |
Behavior modification | a systematic application of learning principles to change peoples actions and feelings |
Token economy | form of conditioning in which desirable behavior is reinforced with valueless objects or points that can be accumulated and exchanged for privileges or other rewards |