On the consequences of behavior -
"The consequences of behavior may "feed back" into the organism. When they do so, they may change the probability that the behavior which produced them will occur again." (Skinner, 1953, pg. 59)Control of operant behavior -
"The experimental procedure in operant conditioning is straight-forward. We arrange a contingency of reinforcement and expose an organism to it for a given period. We then explain the requent emission of the response by pointing to this history."(Skinner, 1953, pg.68)
Extinction defined-
"When reinforcement is no longer forthcoming, a response becomes less and less frequent in what is called 'operant extinction.'"(Skinner, 1953, pg.69)
Positive and negative reinforcers -
"Events which are found to be reinforcing are of two sorts. Some reinforcements consist of presenting stimuli, of adding something--for example, food, water, or sexual contact--to the situation. These we call positive reinforcers. Others consist of removing something--for example, a loud noise, a very bright light, extreme cold or head, or electric shock--from the situation. These we call negative reinforcers. In both cases the effect of reinforcement is the same--the probability of response is increased."(Skinner, 1953, pg.73)
Generalized reinforcer -
"A conditioned reinforcer is generalized when it is paired with more than one primary reinforcer."(Skinner, 1953, pg.77)"It is not correct to say that operant reinforcement 'strengthens the response that precedes it.' The reponse has already occurred and cannot be changed. What is changed is the future probability of responses in the same class. It is the operant as a class of behavior, rather than the response as a particular instance, which is conditioned." (Skinner, 1953, pg.87)