Operant Conditioning

I. Operant Conditioning A type of learning that occurs when we receive rewards or punishments for our behavior A type of learning that occurs when we receive rewards or punishments for our behavior Behaviors will increase if the consequences are reinforced Behaviors will increase if the consequences are reinforced Behaviors will decrease if the consequences are not reinforced Behaviors will decrease if the consequences are not reinforced

CLASSICAL VS OPERANT CLASSICAL CONDITIONING 1 There is always a specific stimulus (UCS) that elicits a desired response (INVOLUNTARY) 2. (UCS) does not depend on the learners response 3. The learner responds to the environment 4. Generalization can occur when the same response occurs to a similar stimuli OPERANT CONDITIONING is a process by which the consequences of a response affect the likelihood that the response will occur again. 1. The response is voluntary 2. The subject plays a role in what happens 3. Generalization can occur in that the individual MAY learn to generalize the response

In Class Activity 1. CREATE A VISUAL(ANY KIND) - Handout, power point slide… 2. PRESENT THE VISUAL 3. DESIGN, CREATE & IMPLEMENT AN ACTIVITY THAT REINFORCES THE INFORMATION YOU ARE PRESENTING

A. Edward Thorndike: The Puzzle Box

B. B.F. Skinner ( ) Founder of operant conditioning Founder of operant conditioning Devised ways to test his theories in the real world Devised ways to test his theories in the real world (The Skinner Box)

Components of Operant Conditioning Components of Operant Conditioning 1. Reinforcement - Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a response (behavior) will be repeated. a. Positive Reinforcement: Will strengthen behaviors because the subject receives something they want

Positive Reinforcement

b. Negative Reinforcement: Also strengthens the behavior, because something the subject doesn’t like is removed Ex: “If you get all A’s, you won’t have to mow the yard this summer.” Extrinsic rewards????

Negative Reinforcement

Positive/Negative Reinforcement

2. Primary vs. Secondary Reinforcers Primary Reinforcement: Something that is naturally reinforcing Something that is naturally reinforcing Ex: food, warmth, water, etc. Secondary Reinforcement Something that a person has learned to value; often paired with a primary reinforcer Ex: Kind words

Schedules of Reinforcement Schedules of Reinforcement

Immediate vs. Delayed Reinforcement Immediate vs. Delayed Reinforcement 1. Immediate: given immediately after the desired behavior –More effective 2. Delayed: given after a period of time following the desired behavior

3. Continuous Reinforcement: a reward follows every correct response Most useful way to establish a behavior Most useful way to establish a behavior The behavior will extinguish quickly once the reinforcement stops. The behavior will extinguish quickly once the reinforcement stops.

4. Partial Reinforcement a reward follows only some correct responses

a.Fixed Interval: rewarding a response after some defined period of time (ex: you get paid $9/hour) b. Variable Interval: rewarding a response after an unpredictable amount of time (ex: your paycheck is sometimes late)

5. Fixed Ratio: rewarding a response after a defined number of correct responses (ex: paid $5 for every 3 pages you write) The faster the subject responds, the more reinforcements they will receive. The faster the subject responds, the more reinforcements they will receive. 6. Variable Ratio: rewarding an unpredictable number of correct responses (ex: slot machine)

ScheduleProsCons Variable Ratio High levels of response May not want to take your chances Fixed Ratio More effort = more reward Depends on how much you value the reward Fixed Interval No over or under-exertion No personal control over availability of the reward Variable Interval Keeps you guessing May cause you to quit or give up Strengthening Power →

3. Aversive Control Any consequence that decreases the likelihood a behavior will be repeated Any consequence that decreases the likelihood a behavior will be repeated An undesirable event An undesirable event

Aversion Control Using an unpleasant stimulus to condition Negative reinforcement- take away something unpleasant or painful. Escape – behave in a way to STOP unpleasant or painful thing. Avoidance behave in a way to PREVENT unpleasant or painful thing from starting Punishment inflict something unpleasant or painful to make you STOP

Problems with Punishment Problems with Punishment Only works when the punisher is around Only works when the punisher is around May cause fear, anxiety, or low self-esteem May cause fear, anxiety, or low self-esteem Teaches aggression as a means to solve problems. Teaches aggression as a means to solve problems. Doesn’t teach the appropriate or desired behavior. Doesn’t teach the appropriate or desired behavior.

D. Operant Conditioning Procedures

1. Shaping Reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the behavior you want Reinforcing behaviors that are increasingly similar to the behavior you want Is used to establish a new behavior Is used to establish a new behavior (Ex: training an animal to jump through a hoop) (Ex: training an animal to jump through a hoop)

Chaining Response chain - linking individual parts of something together to complete the final action Swimming