AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The basic concept behind operant conditioning is that a stimulus (antecedent) leads to a behavior, which then leads to a consequence. This form of conditioning involves reinforcers, both positive and negative, as well as primary, secondary, and generalized. Primary reinforcers are things like food, shelter, and water.

Detailed explanation-2: -In operant behavior, stimuli can be appetitive or aversive. Appetitive stimuli are the ones that you voluntarily approach while aversive stimuli are those you try to avoid or escape. Responses to such stimuli can either be positive or negative reinforcement. In this case positive and negative do not mean good or bad.

Detailed explanation-3: -Skinner found that when and how often behaviors were reinforced played a role in the speed and strength of acquisition. In other words, the timing and frequency of reinforcement influenced how new behaviors were learned and how old behaviors were modified.

Detailed explanation-4: -This is an example of stimulus control in operant conditioning. In operant conditioning, the antecedent stimulus does not directly elicit the response, as it does in classical conditioning. Instead, the stimulus sets the occasion for a response to be reinforced.