1 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 3 Operant Learning Theory by Stephen E. Wong Basic Concepts Operant behavior is current behavior that has been changed by the consequences that have followed it in the past. This is different from respondent behavior (see Chapter 2), which is a function of stimuli which come before the behavior is evoked. Operant behavior can be vastly more complicated than respondent behavior. Operant theory was formally introduced into the social work field in the middle 1960s by individuals such as Edwin J. Thomas and Richard B. Stuart at the University of Michigan.

2 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 3 Operant Learning Theory by Stephen E. Wong Basic Concepts Reinforcement refers to how behavior can be strengthened because of the consequences that have followed it in the past. If a consequence involves the presentation of something, and behavior is later strengthened, this process is called positive reinforcement. Think of getting something good in return for behaving in certain ways. If a consequence involves the removal of something, and behavior is later strengthened, this is called negative reinforcement. Think of experiencing relief, the removal of something unpleasant, in return for behavior in certain ways. Both positive and negative reinforcement are good things. We usually like having our behavior positively or negatively reinforced.

3 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 3 Operant Learning Theory by Stephen E. Wong Basic Concepts Punishment refers to how behavior can be weakened because of the consequences that have followed it in the past. If a consequence involves the presentation of something, and behavior is later weakened, this process is called positive punishment. Think of being spanked for childhood misbehavior. If a consequence involves the removal of something, and behavior is later weakened, this is called negative punishment. Think of being fined for speeding on the highway. Both positive and negative reinforcement are bad things. We usually dislike having our behavior positively or negatively punished. Negative reinforcement is NOT the same thing as punishment. The former is usually seen as GOOD and strengthens behavior, while the latter is unpleasant and weakens behavior.

4 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 3 Operant Learning Theory by Stephen E. Wong Basic Concepts Schedules of reinforcement refers to the timing and regularity of the consequences that follow behavior. Reinforcers that occur every so often, on a regular schedule, when we engage in a behavior, are operating under a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement. If the reinforcers occur after we have performed a certain number of behaviors, the behavior is operating on a fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement. If the time periods before reinforcing consequences occur vary, the operation is known as a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement. Similarly, if reinforcers occur after a changing number of behaviors, the schedule is called a variable-ratio one. Behaviors maintained on a variable-ratio/variable interval schedule of reinforcement are more durable (think of playing slot machines) than behaviors maintained by a continuous reinforcement schedule, wherein reinforcement occurs after every occurrence of a particular behavior (think of using a vending machine). If nothing happens after you insert your money, which behavior will you give up more rapidly? Playing the slots, or feeding coins into a vending machine?

5 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work Practice Bruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors Chapter 3 Operant Learning Theory by Stephen E. Wong Basic Concepts Operant extinction usually occurs when the reinforcers that have maintained a behavior in the past stop occurring. The behavior may strengthen for a while (called an extinction burst), but will eventually diminish and halt. Shaping occurs when successive approximations, or small steps toward a complex terminal behavior, are reinforced, with reinforcement gradually being made contingent on coming closer to the desired behavioral outcome. Most complex human behavior is Rule-governed behavior, under the control of verbal descriptions of contingencies, not contingency-shaped behavior initially shaped by direct contact with contingencies themselves. Operant theory has obvious and compelling applications across the entire spectrum of social work practice, micro through macro, in terms of understanding how and why people behave in certain ways, and in developing interventions to change behavior.