Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforce or diminished if followed by a punisher. The learning of voluntary behavior through the effects of pleasant and unpleasant consequences to responses.

Operant Conditioning Major persons: Edward Thorndike B. F. Skinner Law of effect Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely.

Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning Skinner Box

Operant Conditioning Reinforcement: in operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behavior it follows Shaping: an operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of the desired behavior

Types of Reinforcers Positive Reinforcement: the reinforcement of a response by the addition or experiencing of a pleasurable stimulus (a reward following a response). Negative Reinforcement: the reinforcement of a response by the removal, escape from, or avoidance of an unpleasant stimulus.

Types of Reinforcers

The child earns good grades and receives a pleasurable consequence: a hug. The noise outside a child's window is preventing the child from sleeping. The child removes the unpleasant stimulus (the loud noise) by wearing headphones.

Types of Reinforcers Primary Reinforcer: any reinforcer that is naturally reinforcing by meeting a basic biological need, such as hunger, thirst, or touch. Secondary Reinforcer: any reinforcer that becomes reinforcing after being paired with a primary reinforcer, such as praise, tokens, or gold stars. Primary and Secondary reinforcers

Reinforcement Schedules It matters when, and how often the reinforcement is given. Animals must receive immediate reinforcement for the learning to occur. Humans have the ability to respond to delayed reinforcers.

Reinforcement Schedules Reinforcement schedules vary Reinforcing a response every time it occurs is called Continuous Reinforcement Most powerful type of reinforcement Learning is rapid, but so is extinction Partial (intermittent) Reinforcement is when the response is reinforced part of the time Learning is slower, but resistant to extinction

Reinforcement Schedules

Punishment Reinforcement increases behavior, punishment does the opposite. A punisher is any consequence that decreases the frequency of the behavior that precedes it. Just as there is positive and negative reinforcement, there is also positive and negative punishment.

Punishment

Punishment Negatives of using punishment Punished behavior is suppressed not forgotten Punishment teaches discrimination among situations Punishment can teach fear Physical punishment may increase aggression