4.2

Operant Conditioning

AP Psychology

Key distinction from classical conditioning

Foundations of operant conditioning

Thorndike's Law of Effect

Skinner's contributions

Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement

Negative reinforcement

Punishment

Positive punishment

Negative punishment

The complete framework

Shaping

Schedules of reinforcement

Continuous vs. partial reinforcement

Four partial reinforcement schedules

Other important concepts

Discriminative stimulus

Generalization and discrimination in operant conditioning

Primary vs. secondary reinforcers

Token economy

Premack principle

Problems with punishment

Biological constraints

AP Exam Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Vocabulary