Learning Theories Goal  How do we acquire behaviors through operant conditioning?

Edward Thorndike’s Law of Effect Cats placed in “puzzle boxes” Use trial-and-error to “escape” Continue behaviors w/good result Discontinue behaviors w/bad result

B.F. Skinner “Skinner Boxes”

Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement Increases response by presenting positive stimulus Negative Reinforcement Increases response by removing negative stimulus

Punishment Positive Punishment Decrease behavior by presenting bad stimulus Negative Punishment Decrease behavior by removing good stimulus

Punishment Suppresses behavior (not forgotten) Teaches discrimination Teaches fear May increase aggressiveness

Reinforcers Immediate v. Delayed Reinforcers Unlearned Conditioned (Secondary) Reinforcer Learned through association Primary Reinforcer Continuous v. Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement

Shaping Reinforce each step (successive approximation) toward desired behavior Chaining – linking behaviors together into a routine (ex: putting reinforced dance moves into a choreographed performance)

Schedules of Partial Reinforcement Fixed-ratio – reinforcement after a set or fixed number of behaviors occur Variable-ratio – reinforcement after different numbers of behaviors

Schedules of Partial Reinforcement Fixed-interval – reinforcement after a set or fixed amount of time Variable-interval – reinforcement after different amounts of time

Extending Operant Conditioning Cognitive Influences Cognitive map – mental representation of environment Latent Learning – learning not known until there is motivation to demonstrate it

Operant Conditioning & Motivation Intrinsic & extrinsic motivation (we will discuss these more in our motivation unit) – Intrinsic = internal desire to perform behavior, “for its own sake” – Extrinsic = need external reward or avoidance of punishment to perform behavior

Biology & Operant Conditioning Biological constraints predispose organisms to learn associations that are naturally adaptive – Pigeons naturally peck Easy to teach pigeons to peck to receive food – Pigeons naturaly flap wings Teach pigeons to flap wings to avoid shock – However, difficult to teach pigeon to flap wings to get food, or peck to avoid shock

Premack Principle Use preferred behaviors to reinforced non- preferred behaviors – Parents make children eat vegetables in order to get dessert

Applications of Operant Conditioning School – token economy Sports Work – schedules of reinforcement Home Self-improvement - Biofeedback

Operant vs Classical Conditioning