Operant Conditioning

What’s the Difference? In classical conditioning, one associates different stimuli that it does not control. In classical conditioning, one associates different stimuli that it does not control. Through operant conditioning, one associates their behavior with consequences. Through operant conditioning, one associates their behavior with consequences.

Operant Conditioning Subjects of operant conditioning associate behaviors with their consequences. Subjects of operant conditioning associate behaviors with their consequences. They are more likely to repeat rewarded (reinforced) behaviors and less likely to repeat punished behaviors. They are more likely to repeat rewarded (reinforced) behaviors and less likely to repeat punished behaviors.

B.F. Skinner Believed that most behavior is influenced by a person’s history of rewards and punishments. Believed that most behavior is influenced by a person’s history of rewards and punishments. Skinner trained rats to respond to lights and sounds in a Skinner Box. Skinner trained rats to respond to lights and sounds in a Skinner Box.

Reinforcement – stimulus or event that follows a response and increases the likelihood that the response will be repeated. Reinforcement – stimulus or event that follows a response and increases the likelihood that the response will be repeated. Examples? Examples? Social approval, money, extra privileges. Social approval, money, extra privileges.

Types of Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement – something positive is given when a desired behavior is performed. Positive Reinforcement – something positive is given when a desired behavior is performed. Negative Reinforcement – something negative is taken away when a desired behavior is performed. Negative Reinforcement – something negative is taken away when a desired behavior is performed. Primary Reinforcer – Stimulus that is naturally rewarding. Primary Reinforcer – Stimulus that is naturally rewarding. Secondary Reinforcer – Stimulus that becomes rewarding as it is linked with a primary reinforcer. Secondary Reinforcer – Stimulus that becomes rewarding as it is linked with a primary reinforcer.

Humanistic Psychology

Said human nature was evolving and self-directed. Said human nature was evolving and self-directed. Humanists believe that the environment and other outside forces only serve as a background to our internal growth. Humanists believe that the environment and other outside forces only serve as a background to our internal growth. Each person is unique and has the potential to develop fully. Each person is unique and has the potential to develop fully.

Abraham Maslow We seek to fulfill our potential (self- actualization). We seek to fulfill our potential (self- actualization). Studied healthy, creative people rather than troubled people. (Lincoln, Jefferson, Eleanor Roosevelt) Studied healthy, creative people rather than troubled people. (Lincoln, Jefferson, Eleanor Roosevelt)

Carl Rogers People are basically good and are primed for growth and fulfillment (self- actualization) People are basically good and are primed for growth and fulfillment (self- actualization) He believed that a growth- promoting climate required three conditions: He believed that a growth- promoting climate required three conditions: Genuineness, acceptance, and empathy. Genuineness, acceptance, and empathy.

Humanists agree that a central figure of personality is one’s self-concept – all the thoughts and feelings we have in response to the question “Who am I?” Humanists agree that a central figure of personality is one’s self-concept – all the thoughts and feelings we have in response to the question “Who am I?”

Discussion What are some positive aspects of humanistic psychology? What are some positive aspects of humanistic psychology? What may a critic complain about with humanistic psychology? What may a critic complain about with humanistic psychology?