PSY 2012 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: White Coat, Chemotherapy, Operant Conditioning
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Module 6 notes: learning- relatively permanent in knowledge or behavior that results from experience. Must serve inclusive fitness or wouldn"t have evolved. Most reinforcers are biologically relevant (food, water, sex: edward thorndike (1874-1949) Introduced an advanced experimental method to test animals" reasoning. Put animals in boxes and observed how long it took for them to escape (cats, chickens, monkeys, rats) Consequences of an act determine whether it will be repeated in the future. Behaviors with positive consequences are more likely to be: b. f. skinner (1904-1990) repeated. Wanted to design an environment in which he controlled the organisms response and outcome more than thorndike did. Systematized prior work: cumulative record, operant conditioning chamber (skinner box, operant conditioning- behavior operating on the environment. If the key is pressed, then food is presented. Reinforcement- any stimulus that increases a behavior. Positive- something being added (present stimulus: example: giving money- positive reinforcement, taking. Punishment- any stimulus that decreases a behavior away chores- negative reinforcement.