Skinner - Operant Conditioning
Presentation
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By-Adesh Kumar VermaPh.D., ScholarRoll No.P-1639
Outline of Presentation
Introduction
Genesis of operant conditioning
Concept of operant conditioning
Types of operant
Schedules of Reinforcement
Shaping
How operant conditioning differs from Classical conditioning?
Summary
Introduction
Behaviorism
Conditioning
Types of conditioning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
B. F. Skinner ?
Genesis of operant conditioning
Thorndike
Learning in animals
Puzzle box Propose the theory known as the 'Law of Effect‘.
Law of Effect – Reinforcement
Concept of operant conditioning
Given by- B.F. Skinner
Coined term operant conditioning
Means :- changing of behavior by the
use of reinforcement (which is given
after the desired response) and
punishment (which is given after the
undesired response)
Types of operant
Skinner identified three types of responses or operant that can follow behavior
Neutral operants: responses from the environment that neither increase
nor decrease the probability of a behavior being repeated.
Reinforcers: Responses from the environment that increase the probability
of a behavior being repeated. Reinforcers can be either positive or negative.
Punishers: Response from the environment that decrease the likelihood of
a behavior being repeated. Punishment weakens behavior.
Graphical view of Behaviour by- using cumulative recorder
Schedules of Reinforcement
1. Continuous Reinforcement
2. Partial Reinforcement
Fixed-ratio schedules
Variable-ratio schedules
Fixed-interval schedules
Variable-interval schedules .
Choosing a Schedule
Shaping
Shaping is an experimental process used in operant conditioning by which successive approximations of a target behavior are reinforced.
B.F. Skinner used shaping, a method of training by which successive approximations toward a desired target behavior are reinforced, to test his theories of behavioral psychology.
The shaping method relies on the use of behavioral reinforcement and punishment, which lead subjects toward a desired behavior, and discourage them from displaying undesired behaviors.
Skinner’s early experiments in operant conditioning involved the shaping of rats to learn to how press a lever to receive a food reward.
How operant conditioning differs from Classical conditioning?
Developmental differences
Functional difference
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Nature of response
Timing of Stimulus
Timing of Response
Role of learner
Voluntary (usually) but can be both – Vol &
Involuntary
After the desired response
ActivePassive
Precedes the response
Involuntary (reflexive)
After the stimulus
Before the stimulus
Operant Conditioning Summary
Psychology should be seen as a science, to be studied in a scientific manner.
Deals with observable behavior.
The major influence on human behavior is learning from our environment.
Skinner proposed that the way humans learn behavior is much the same as the way the rats learned to press a lever.
There is little difference between the learning that takes place in humans and that in other animals.