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Caitlin CrowderChuang Li

Danny PlylerNicole Prater

What is Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning is the term usedby B.F. Skinner to describe the effects ofthe consequences of a particularbehavior on the future occurrence ofthat behavior.

The basic principle is simple: Acts that are reinforced tend to be repeated (Mazur, 2006)

Behavior Consequence

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Comparison of Classical and Operant Conditioning

Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior (12the Edition)

US = Unconditioned Stimulus; CS = Conditioned  Stimulus

Positive Reinforcement

Negative Reinforcement

Positive Punishment

Negative Punishment

Operant Conditioning

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Reinforcement is any consequence that produces an increase in that behavior in the future.

Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by providing aconsequence an individual finds rewarding.

Positive Reinforcement

For example, if your teacher gives you $5 each time youcomplete your homework (i.e. a reward) you are more likely torepeat this behavior in the future, thus strengthening thebehavior of completing your homework.

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Skinner Box

Las Vegas, a Human Skinner Box?

Consequence:Getting food

Behavior:Pressing the bar

The removal of an unpleasant reinforcer can also strengthenbehavior. This is known as Negative Reinforcement because itis the removal of an adverse stimulus which is ‘rewarding’ tothe animal.

Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior because it stopsor removes an unpleasant experience.

Negative Reinforcement

For example, if you do not complete yourhomework you give your teacher $5. You willcomplete your homework to avoid paying $5,thus strengthening the behavior of completingyour homework.

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Punishment is defined as the opposite of reinforcement sinceit is designed to weaken or eliminate a response rather thanincrease it.

Like reinforcement, punishment can work either by directlyapplying an unpleasant stimulus like a shock after a responseor by removing a potentially rewarding stimulus, for instance,deducting someone’s pocket money to punish undesirablebehavior.

Punishment

Positive punishment

Presenting an aversive stimulus to decrease responding

Corporal punishment (e.g., hitting); prison

Punishment

Negative punishment

Removal of pleasant stimulus reduces responding

Grounding; losing television privileges

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Behavioral Effects of Various Consequences

In Extinction,  a particular behavior is weakened by the consequence of not experiencing a positive condition or stopping a negative condition. 

Others ‐ Extinction

Animals learning to press abar in a Skinner box showedno signs of learning if foodreward followed a bar pressby more than 100 seconds

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In operant conditioning, the subject must first emit the response that the experimenter plans to reward. Shaping is the name given to those initial steps needed to get the subject to engage in the behavior that is to be rewarded. If, for example, a rat is to be rewarded for pressing a bar, it must first learn

Generally, rewards (usually food) initially are given at the end of each of these steps. Finally, however, a reward is given only when the bar is pressed.

Others ‐ Shaping

http://vimeo.com/18823407

Others

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Thank you