PY 101 Chapter 18-20: Module 18-20

• School: University of Alabama
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PY 101
• Professor: Tammi Carroll

Document Summary

Operant conditioning- learning in which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened, depending on its favorable or unfavorable consequences o. When we say that a response has been strengthened or weakened, we mean that it has been made more or less likely to recur regularly. Reinforcement- the process by which a stimulus increases the probability that a preceding behavior will be repeated. Reinforcer- any stimulus that increases the probability that a preceding behavior will occur again o. Primary reinforcer- satisfies some biological need and works naturally, regardless of a person"s previous experience o o o. Secondary reinforcer- a stimulus that becomes reinforcing because of its association with a primary reinforcer o. Token systems- sometimes used in the treatment of some psychological disorders for those who are in institutions (secondary reinforcer) Reinforcers can be thought in terms of rewards o. Both a reinforcer and a reward increase the probability that a preceding response will occur again o.