Chapter 7 Operant Learning

Objectives

1. List and explain the four differences between operants and respondents. Recognize and give examples of these.

2. Define contingency.

3. Explain and give examples of response classes based on topography, function, and geography.

4. Define reinforcement. Contrast positive and negative reinforcement and give (and recognize) examples of each.

5. Define punishment. Describe the two types of punishment and give examples of each.

6. Define and give examples of operant extinction. Contrast operant extinction with punishment and respondent extinction (Chapt. 6). What are the differences in terms of the consequences and the effects on behavior?

7. Describe the discriminative stimulus and the other terms (antecedent and Sd) used synonomously. Contrast the Sd with respondent stimuli (be sure to use evoke and elicit).

8. Define setting events and the two distinct influences they have. Give and recognize examples of these.

9. Explain how reinforcers develop. Include the terms primary, secondary, conditioned, and acquired. Recognize and give examples of these.

10. List, describe and give examples of the classes of reinforcers

11. Describe shaping. Apply it to examples in teaching and in development.

12. Explain forward and backward chaining with special emphasis on the roles of reinforcement and Sds. Give and recognize examples of each.

13. Apply the four term contingency to behavior, using the appropriate shorthand notation

14. Describe the role of reinforcement contingencies in coalescent development.

15. Describe how nonlinearity is shown in operant learning.