A.P. Psychology 4.2 Objective Show understanding of Schedules if reinforcement and the differences between Classical and Operant Conditioning by completing handouts. Opener Turn in Comic Strips

Operant Conditioning

Classical vs. Operant Conditioning With classical conditioning you can teach a dog to salivate, but you cannot teach it to sit up or roll over. Why? Salivation is an involuntary reflex, while sitting up and rolling over are far more complex responses that we think of as voluntary.

Operant Conditioning An operant is an observable behavior that an organism uses to “operate” in the environment. Operant Conditioning: A form of learning in which the probability of a response is changed by its consequences…that is, by the stimuli that follows the response. Ex: Studying and getting a good grade on the test.Studying is the operant.

Operant Chamber (The Skinner Box) A boxlike apparatus that can be programmed to deliver reinforcers and punishments contingent on an animals behavior B.F. Skinner -behaviorist

Reinforcement/Punishment Matrix Handout (review side one, complete side 2) The consequence provides something ($, a spanking…) The consequence takes something away (removes headache, timeout) Positive Reinforcement Negative Reinforcement The consequence makes the behavior more likely to happen in the future. Positive Punishment Negative Punishment The consequence makes the behavior less likely to happen in the future.

Uses and Abuses of Punishment Punishment often produces an immediate change in behavior, which ironically reinforces the punisher. However, punishment rarely works in the long run for four reasons: The power of punishment to suppress behavior usually disappears when the threat of punishment is gone. Punishment triggers escape or aggression. Punishment makes the learner apprehensive: inhibits learning. Punishment is often applied unequally.

Making Punishment Work To make punishment work: Punishment should be swift. Punishment should be certain-every time. Punishment should be limited in time and intensity. Punishment should clearly target the behavior, not the person. Punishment should not give mixed messages. The most effective punishment is often omission training-negative punishment.

Schedules of Intermittent Reinforcement Interval schedule: rewards subjects after a certain time interval. Ratio schedule: rewards subjects after a certain number of responses. There are 4 types of intermittent reinforcement: Fixed Interval Schedule (FI) Variable Interval Schedule (VI) Fixed Ratio Schedule (FR) Variable Ratio Schedule (VR)

Interval Schedules Fixed Interval Schedule (FI): A schedule that a rewards a learner only for the first correct response after some defined period of time. Example: B.F. Skinner put rats in a box with a lever connected to a feeder. It only provided a reinforcement after 60 seconds. The rats quickly learned that it didn’t matter how early or often it pushed the lever, it had to wait a set amount of time. As the set amount of time came to an end, the rats became more active in hitting the lever.

Interval Schedules Variable Interval Schedule (VI): A reinforcement system that rewards a correct response after an unpredictable amount of time. Example: A pop-quiz

Ratio Schedules Fixed Ratio Schedule (FR): A reinforcement schedule that rewards a response only after a defined number of correct answers. Example: At Whole Foods, if you use your Club Card to buy 7 sandwiches, you get the 8th one for free.

Ratio Schedules Variable Ratio Schedule (VR): A reinforcement schedule that rewards an unpredictable number of correct responses. Example: Buying lottery tickets

Primary and Secondary reinforcement Primary reinforcement: something that is naturally reinforcing: food, warmth, water… Secondary reinforcement: something you have learned is a reward because it is paired with a primary reinforcement in the long run: good grades.

Two Important Theories Token Economy: A therapeutic method based on operant conditioning that where individuals are rewarded with tokens, which act as a secondary reinforcer. The tokens can be redeemed for a variety of rewards. Premack Principle: The idea that a more preferred activity can be used to reinforce a less-preferred activity.

Big Bang Theory Respond after the Clip How does Sheldon show us operant conditioning? What is the flaw in his experiment? Clue: Positive vs. negative Is this an ethical application on operant conditioning?

Classical or Operant Conditioning? A very bright (mildly painful) light is turned on a rat. The rat has learned that he can turn off the light by pressing a lever on the other site of his cage. As soon as the light comes on, the rat suns across the room and presses the lever. Classical? UCS, UCR, CS, and CR? Operant? Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Positive punishment, or Negative punishment?

Classical or Operant Conditioning? 2. When a mother strokes her infant’s skin, the stroking creates pleasure responses in the baby. After this goes on for many days, the baby begins to show pleasure responses simply at the sight of the mother (before even being touched). Classical? UCS, UCR, CS, and CR? Operant? Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Positive punishment, or Negative punishment?

Classical or Operant Conditioning? 3. A patient in a mental hospital is very disruptive at mealtimes. She grabs food from the plates of those sitting near her and tries to cram the food in her mouth. Because this behaviour of stealing food is very undesirable, a plan is developed whereby every time the patient steals food from other plates, she is immediately taken to a room without food. Classical? UCS, UCR, CS, and CR? Operant? Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Positive punishment, or Negative punishment?

Classical or Operant Conditioning? 4. Johnny has gotten into a habit of yelling “Bye, Mom” and then slamming the door very loudly in his hurry to leave for school in the morning. The door slam causes his mother to flinch. After several days of procedure, Johnny’s mother begins to flinch at the sound of her son’s words, “Bye, Mom.”. Classical? UCS, UCR, CS, and CR? Operant? Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Positive punishment, or Negative punishment?

Classical or Operant Conditioning? 5. Fred leaves his clothes and toys all over his room. It seems that the only time he cleans up his room is when his mother yells at him. When she yells at him, Fred picks up his clothes and puts away his toys. Classical? UCS, UCR, CS, and CR? Operant? Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Positive punishment, or Negative punishment?

Classical or Operant Conditioning? 6. Mr. And Mrs. Jones are having a heated argument that both are finding very unpleasant. Mr. Jones gets up and leaves the room, closing the door behind him. This has the effect of terminating the argument. From then on, every time Mrs. Jones raises her voice, Mr. Jones leaves the room. Classical? UCS, UCR, CS, and CR? Operant? Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Positive punishment, or Negative punishment?

Classical or Operant Conditioning? 7. A husband who usually ignores his wife still likes to think of himself as an understanding man. So, whenever his wife complains that her heart condition (which has no medical cause) is giving her pain, he becomes attentive and tries to comfort her. This responsiveness doesn’t seem to help much; her reports of heart trouble just increase.. Classical? UCS, UCR, CS, and CR? Operant? Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Positive punishment, or Negative punishment?

PsychSim Search psychsim 5.0 Click on Operant Conditioning Draw the line graphs for each trial Note average bar press Which Schedule is more resistant to extinction? Which is Most resistant to extinction and is often seen in real-life situations?

Handouts Schedules of Reinforcement Operant Conditioning practice: use the following grid to figure out the type of reinforcement. Behavior   Consequence: Strengthened Added Weakened subtracted