Operant Conditioning Behaviorism & B.F. Skinner

University of Minnesota faculty University of Minnesota faculty Uninspired by Classical Conditioning Uninspired by Classical Conditioning Much to narrow a focus Much to narrow a focus Pairing is not acquisition of new knowledge Pairing is not acquisition of new knowledge Inspired by pigeons outside his office Inspired by pigeons outside his office “Law of Effect” “Law of Effect” Outcomes effect future behavior Outcomes effect future behavior Many experiments with pigeons Many experiments with pigeons May be the most influential Psychologist on American Education May be the most influential Psychologist on American Education

Behaviorism Traditions of Research in Higher Education Traditions of Research in Higher Education Newton – “I stood on the shoulders of giants.” Newton – “I stood on the shoulders of giants.” Take existing research farther Take existing research farther Psychoanalytic research in the 30’s Psychoanalytic research in the 30’s Research going too far out on a limb, Research going too far out on a limb, Little practical use Little practical use Trying to access your own subconscious Trying to access your own subconscious Behaviorism is a response to esoteric Psychoanalysis Behaviorism is a response to esoteric Psychoanalysis The pendulum swings back to the complete other side The pendulum swings back to the complete other side

Behaviorism Research is based on scientific principles. Research is based on scientific principles. Only observable data should be collected Only observable data should be collected Count the number of occurrences of an action Count the number of occurrences of an action Count the duration of an action Count the duration of an action Count the magnitude of an action Count the magnitude of an action Make no assumptions as to the internal state of a subject Make no assumptions as to the internal state of a subject “Learning is a conscious change in behavior” “Learning is a conscious change in behavior” Research is reproducible & reliable Research is reproducible & reliable

Operant Conditioning Skinner’s learning model (ABC) Skinner’s learning model (ABC) Operant-Voluntary Action Operant-Voluntary Action Antecedent – Behavior – Consequences Antecedent – Behavior – Consequences(Environment-Action-Results) Candy isle in the supermarket Candy isle in the supermarket Antecedents are still important Antecedents are still important Skinner focused on the consequences Skinner focused on the consequences Only two types of consequences are possible Only two types of consequences are possible Paid or Penalized. Paid or Penalized.

Operant Conditioning Types of Consequences Types of Consequences Reinforcement Reinforcement Increases behavior Increases behavior Likelihood of occurrence, magnitude, or duration Likelihood of occurrence, magnitude, or duration Positive Reinforcement (Mathematical interpretation) Positive Reinforcement (Mathematical interpretation) Addition of a reward Addition of a reward A jelly bean, dinosaur sticker, etc. A jelly bean, dinosaur sticker, etc. Negative Reinforcement (Mathematical interpretation) Negative Reinforcement (Mathematical interpretation) Subtraction of an annoyance Subtraction of an annoyance Excused from a final examination if all quizzes are “A’s” Excused from a final examination if all quizzes are “A’s”

Operant Conditioning Types of consequences (cont.) Types of consequences (cont.) Punishment Punishment Decreases behavior Decreases behavior Likelihood of occurrence, magnitude, or duration Likelihood of occurrence, magnitude, or duration Presentation Punishment Presentation Punishment Addition of an annoyance (aversive) Addition of an annoyance (aversive) Spanking, verbal reprimand, etc. Spanking, verbal reprimand, etc. Removal Punishment Removal Punishment Subtraction of a privilege Subtraction of a privilege Stay in from recess Stay in from recess Overhead Matrix Overhead Matrix

Reinforcement Schedules Continuous- Each occasion gets rewarded Continuous- Each occasion gets rewarded Jelly bean every time you raise your hand to speak Jelly bean every time you raise your hand to speak Fixed Interval - Set period of time between rewards Fixed Interval - Set period of time between rewards Check journals once per week Check journals once per week Variable Interval– No set time period between rewards Variable Interval– No set time period between rewards Check homework 3 time per semester Check homework 3 time per semester Fixed Ratio – Reward after set number of behaviors Fixed Ratio – Reward after set number of behaviors Every 5 journal entries come show them to me Every 5 journal entries come show them to me Variable Ratio – Randomly reward behavior, no system Variable Ratio – Randomly reward behavior, no system Maybe a sticker this time and maybe not. Maybe a sticker this time and maybe not.

Behaviorism Techniques Standing orders Standing orders Be systematic Be systematic Have a behavior plan Have a behavior plan Implement consistently Implement consistently Be specific Be specific Name the behavior you want to see again Name the behavior you want to see again “Catch them being good” “Catch them being good” Be sincere Be sincere Punish or Praise for the student’s good not yours Punish or Praise for the student’s good not yours No venting on students No venting on students

Behaviorism Techniques Methods of Reinforcement Methods of Reinforcement Teacher Attention Teacher Attention Verbal Praise Verbal Praise Gestures Gestures Touching? Touching? Premack Principle Premack Principle With-hold a desired activity until a less desired activity is finished adequately With-hold a desired activity until a less desired activity is finished adequately Positive Practice Positive Practice

Behaviorism Techniques Methods of punishment Methods of punishment Satiation Satiation Wear out the bad behavior by having them repeat it Wear out the bad behavior by having them repeat it Verbal Reprimands Verbal Reprimands Gentle art of corrections Gentle art of corrections Quiet, Direct, never say “Or else…” Quiet, Direct, never say “Or else…” Social Isolation Social Isolation Time out Time out Peer-Pressure Peer-Pressure Punish group for sins of one person Punish group for sins of one person Response-Cost Response-Cost Gradually increasing severity of the punishment with every occurrence Gradually increasing severity of the punishment with every occurrence