Learning
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| negative reinforcement/ˈneɡətɪv ˌriːɪnˈfɔːsmənt/ | negative reinforcement |
| reinforcement/ˌriːɪnˈfɔːsmənt/ | reinforcement |
| punishment/ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/ | In operant conditioning, a consequence that decreases the future likelihood of the behaviour it follows. |
| classical conditioning/ˈklæsɪkl kənˈdɪʃənɪŋ/ | classical conditioning |
| operant conditioning/ˈɒpərənt kənˈdɪʃənɪŋ/ | operant conditioning |
| observational learning/ɒbzəˈveɪʃənl ˈlɜːnɪŋ/ | observational learning |
| development/dɪˈveləpmənt/ | A process of growth, change or increasing complexity over time. |
Removing a noise can increase an action
- In a fictional observation, fastening a seat belt stops a buzzer, and fastening happens sooner on later occasions. Removal and increased behaviour are separate parts of the account.
- Negative reinforcement 负强化 removes a stimulus and increases the behaviour. Negative describes removal, not disapproval.
A dog salivates at a bell that has always come before food. Which is it?
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An association between two stimuli, not a consequence of the dog's own behaviour.
Read both axes of a consequence
- Reinforcement 强化 increases future behaviour; punishment 惩罚 decreases it. Positive adds a stimulus and negative removes one.
- Classify by the observed effect as well as what happened. Intended praise is not established as reinforcement merely because it sounds pleasant.
A student hands in homework and the nagging stops. The behaviour increases. What is this?
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Something unpleasant was removed and the behaviour went up: removal plus increase is negative reinforcement.
Match each word to what it tells you.
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Read the label in two halves and every one of the four combinations becomes readable.
Separate stimulus pairing from consequences
- Classical conditioning 经典条件作用 links stimuli, such as a bell paired with food before later salivation to the bell. Operant conditioning 操作性条件作用 concerns consequences of behaviour.
- The same setting can involve both processes. Identify the particular response and relation the question asks about instead of forcing the whole event into one box.
Consider learning by observing
- Observational learning 观察学习 can occur through watching others. Direct reward to the observer is not always required, and seeing an action does not guarantee copying it.
- Development 发展 includes change across life. Stage theories are proposed models; not every aspect of development follows one fixed sequence or age.
Give an everyday example of negative reinforcement and say why it is not punishment.
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Example: "You fasten the seatbelt and the alarm stops, so you buckle up sooner next time — the behaviour increases."
A privilege is removed after interruptions, and interruptions decrease. Which label fits?
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Removal gives negative; decreased interruptions give punishment. Both parts are needed.
Test the classification
- If a privilege is removed and the target behaviour decreases, the stated observation fits negative punishment. If no decrease is observed, do not classify from intention alone.
- Describe the target behaviour, added or removed stimulus and later change. The diagram organises definitions, not a recommendation to punish classmates.
Describe the target behaviour, added or removed stimulus and later change. The diagram organises definitions, not a recommendation to punish classmates.
If praise did not increase the behaviour, it was still a reinforcer because it was pleasant.
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A reinforcer is defined by its effect, not by the intention or how pleasant it seems.