Theory 43: Operant Conditioning

Number of Constructs: 26
Number of Triples: 31

Theory triples

• Neutral stimuli transitions to Conditioned reinforcer
• Conditioned reinforcer transitions to Generalised reinforcer
• Stimulus influences Response
• Stimulus influences Operant discrimination
• Stimulus and situational generalisation influences Stimulus
• Operant behaviour influences Shaping and chaining
• Operant behaviour influences Stimulus and situational generalisation
• Response influences Reinforcement
• Reinforcement influences Extinction
• Reinforcement influences Operant behaviour
• Shaping and chaining influences Reinforcement
• Operant behaviour influences Response generalisation
• Response generalisation influences Response
• Generalised reinforcer influences Reinforcement
• Schedule of reinforcement type of Reinforcement
• Positive reinforcement type of Reinforcement
• Operant discrimination type of Reinforcement
• Skill / performance deficits type of Reinforcement
• Negative punishment type of Reinforcement
• Response cost type of Reinforcement
• Neutral stimuli influences (*) the 'Neutral stimuli' to 'Conditioned reinforcer' Transitions to relationship
• Primary reinforcer influences (*) the 'Neutral stimuli' to 'Conditioned reinforcer' Transitions to relationship
• Conditioned reinforcer influences (*) the 'Conditioned reinforcer' to 'Generalised reinforcer' Transitions to relationship
• Multiple primary reinforcers influences (*) the 'Conditioned reinforcer' to 'Generalised reinforcer' Transitions to relationship
• Differential reinforcement type of Schedule of reinforcement
• Intermittent reinforcement type of Schedule of reinforcement
• Combined schedule of reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement
• Fixed-ratio reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement
• Variable-ratio reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement
• Variable-interval reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement
• Fixed-interval reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement

Theory constructs and annotations

• Neutral stimuli
• Conditioned reinforcer Neutral stimuli that acquire the ability to act as reinforcers usually by being paired with a primary reinforcer [ BCIO:050621 (Conditioned reinforcer) 43 ]
• Generalised reinforcer Conditioned reinforcers that are paired with multiple primary reinforcers to create a more generalised effect [ BCIO:050666 (Generalised reinforcer) 43 ]
• Stimulus
• Response Clearly defined measurable units of behaviour [ BCIO:036000 (Individual Human Behaviour) 43 50 11 49 42 35 47 52 46 24 25 39 30 ]
• Operant discrimination A schedule of reinforcement that is contingent upon the presence of another environmental stimulus [ BCIO:006121 (Discrimination learning) 43 ]
• Stimulus and situational generalisation
• Operant behaviour Behaviour that produces an effect on the environment and whose likelihood of recurrence is influenced by consequences [ BCIO:036000 (Individual Human Behaviour) 43 50 11 49 42 35 47 52 46 24 25 39 30 ]
• Shaping and chaining
• Reinforcement A process in which the frequency or probability of a response is increased by a dependent relationship or contingency with a stimulus or circumstance [ BCIO:050756 (reinforcer) 43 4 70 ]
• Extinction
• Response generalisation
• Schedule of reinforcement
• Positive reinforcement Stimuli that increase the probability of a behaviour that precedes their termination or is associated with their non-occurrence [ BCIO:050739 (Positive reinforcer) 43 ]
• Skill / performance deficits
• Negative punishment Stimuli that reduce the probability of a behaviour; occur when a response produces the removal of a stimulus and that response decreases in probability in the future in similar circumstances [ BCIO:050720 (Negative punishing stimulus) 43 ]
• Response cost The outcomes of behaviour in a given situation
• Primary reinforcer
• Multiple primary reinforcers
• Differential reinforcement Reinforcement in which behaviour is reinforced only in certain situations or scenarios that serve to modify the intensity or form of behaviours [ BCIO:050628 (Differential reinforcement) 43 ]
• Intermittent reinforcement Reinforcement in which behaviour is reinforced at sporadic intervals [ BCIO:050684 (Intermittent schedule of reinforcement) 43 ]
• Combined schedule of reinforcement A schedule of reinforcement that is a combination of interval and ratio reinforcement [ BCIO:006125 (Operant conditioning) 43 ]
• Fixed-ratio reinforcement A schedule of reinforcement in which behaviour is reinforced after a certain number of responses, leading to a very high rate of responding [ BCIO:006125 (Operant conditioning) 43 ]
• Variable-ratio reinforcement A schedule of reinforcement in which the ratio of reinforcement varies around a mean number of responses [ BCIO:006125 (Operant conditioning) 43 ]
• Variable-interval reinforcement A schedule of reinforcement in which behaviour is reinforced at a specific interval on average (e.g. the average interval is 5 minutes but intervals vary between 1 and 10 minutes) [ BCIO:006125 (Operant conditioning) 43 ]
• Fixed-interval reinforcement A schedule of reinforcement that does not reinforce behaviour on every occurrence but instead at regular intervals. [ BCIO:006125 (Operant conditioning) 43 ]

Theory illustration

Theory References

• Skinner, B.F. (1938). The Behaviour of Organisms: An Experimental Analysis. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
• Skinner, B.F. (1953). Science and Human Behaviour. New York: The Free Press.