Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning was first introduced by?

• Ivan Pavlov (1897)

• B. F. Skinner (1948)

• J. B. Watsons (1920)

• Ignatius Lee (2018)

Answer explanation

Skinner (1948) studied operant conditioning by conducting experiment using animals that he placed in the "Skinner Box"

1. A crucial component in operant conditioning is the kind of consequence that follows a behaviour.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

In operant conditioning, a behaviour is modified through reinforcement or punishment that follows in response to the behaviour.

Skinner introduced operant conditioning based on Thorndike's work in 1898. What is this principle called?

• The theory of the Unconscious Mind

• The Law of Effect

• The Law of Attraction

• The theory of Hierarchy of Needs

The Law of Effect states that a behaviour followed by encouraging consequence is ______ likely to be repeated. Meanwhile, a behaviour followed by discouraging consequence is ______ likely to be repeated.

• more / more

• more / less

• less / more

• less / less

Whenever Idayu's students behave well, she reduces their amount of task for them to do. This is an example of what aspect of operant conditioning?

• Negative Reinforcement

• Negative Punishment

• Positive Reinforcement

• Positive Punishment

Answer explanation

Negative reinforcement is when the unpleasant stimulus (doing task) is removed in response to a desired behaviour.

Adam works hard to finish his task because he knows that he will be allowed to play his favourite game once he is done.

• Intrinsic Motivation

• Positive Reinforcement

• Negative Reinforcement

• Positive Punishment

Answer explanation

Positive reinforcement is when a behaviour is strengthen by rewards, and will increase the likelihood of the behaviour to occur again.

The use of punishment to reduce the frequency of unwanted behaviour....

• is more effective than reinforcement

• is recommended to encourage desirable behaviour

• is similar to negative reinforcement

• may involve ethical issues and cause fear

Answer explanation

Punishment may stop the unwanted behaviour immediately, but it might not work in a long-term period. Ethical issues also may involve such as abuse, trauma, etc.

Which is considered as positive punishment (punishment by application)?

• Jie Ming chose a toy that is not suitable for his age. Teacher did not let him play it by giving him other toys that he can play.

• Karim spitted on the table. Teacher scolded him and give him extra task to do.

• Haridzah did not want to finish her maths task. Teacher then reduced her play time.

Answer explanation

Punishment by application is directly presenting an unpleasant stimulus (scolding and more task) as a result of the unwanted behaviour (spitting) in order to reduce that behaviour in the future.

What does it mean by a fixed-ratio schedule?

• Responses are rewarded at inconsistent number of responses.

• Responses are rewarded continuously.

• Responses are rewarded at a certain amount of responses.

• Responses are rewarded at a certain amount of time.

Answer explanation

In a fixed-ratio schedule, responses are rewarded based on a certain number of responses. For example, a child is rewarded after getting 10 answers correct.

Khaliq was not allowed to play any of the toys because he refused to listen to teacher's instructions. In operant conditioning, what type of reinforcement/punishment is this?

• Positive reinforcement

• Negative reinforcement

• Positive Punishment

• Negative Punishment

Answer explanation

In operant conditioning, negative punishment is removing a pleasant stimulus (playing toys) to reduce undesirable behaviour (not listening to teacher).