1. Reinforcements & Their Role in Conditioning…
Before we leave the ‘reward’ based portion of conditioning, we must take time to look into the use of reinforcement in this process
As we have heard, reinforcement may fall in one of two camps:
Positive reinforcement – strengthens a response by its presentation, i.e. the food a rat received in the Skinner Box
Operant conditioning is tied mostly to positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement – strengthens a response by its absence, i.e. the absence of negative shock in a location steering scenario
Negative reinforcement can be considered as a form of reverse reward…

2. As Sheldon shows us…

3. Reinforcement 101…
No matter what reinforcement is being used, the amount of time between performance of the correct response and reinforcement of that response is important.
The shorter the time in receiving reward after a correct response, the more likely that an organism will learn that response.
This time frame changes as we get older, i.e. children at early grade levels should get immediate and frequent rewards; as we get older they are better suited to receive and learn from delayed rewards (or no reward)…

4. Another Reinforcement Consideration
With either form of reinforcement (+ or -), the intermittence of the reinforcement plays a role as well.
i.e. the gambling example, winning doesn’t happen every time, but play still occurs
Intermittent reinforcement is proven to generate better results over a longer period of time than constant reinforcement
The knowledge of intermittent response can assist people in breaking habits
i.e. reducing daily smoking (one a day) vs. going cold turkey with occasional smoking works best

5. Lets talk Punishment…
While viewed as a means to curb an act, before we talk about punishment, please do not get this confused with ‘negative reinforcement’… these are not the same things…
Punishment – consists of providing a negative stimulus after a behaviour has occurred.
Punishment is our traditional method for curbing an undesirable act, be it as a training method for children, adults, or animals.
i.e. time out chair, speeding ticket, or a “bark” collar…

6. Why Punishment, and does it always work?
Punishment seems to help animals and humans learn acceptable behaviour.
Some research points out that this is not always the case.
i.e. Mother & Father punish their child for misbehaving; they believe that this is the best method to fix the scenario
Children may view this differently – they see punishment as a form of acknowledgement… something that they may be seeking
Hence the “cry for attention” analogy that is often used by people who do bad things (pull hair, steal lunch, rob banks…)

7. Other Punishment Issues…
Some evidence states that children who receive excessive punishment tend to inflict punishment on others
i.e. bullies, & children who grow up to mistreat their own children
That being said, a little punishment never hurts anyone, the moderation and type of punishment used must be done properly and within reason
Furthermore, punishment only identifies behaviours that are unacceptable…
i.e. punished for touching a hot stove (sans-burn) = avoidance vs. learning it is ok to go near a hot stove with care…

8. Something else learned: Biofeedback
Biofeedback – is the process of learning to voluntarily regulate bodily responses
This occurs with feedback (knowledge) of potential physiological responses; i.e. monitoring heartrate
Operant conditioning (act on environment) allows for individuals to engage in biofeedback situations
i.e. high blood pressure monitoring + reduction…
We use a measuring device to understand we have high blood pressure – we are rewarded by keeping pressure low (living & by doctor) – but the ability to act (relax etc) to curb high blood pressure is learned and enacted by patient in order to enact rewards system…
i.e. #2 child who can’t sit still in class + tone noise…
Recorded muscle tension in forehead (cause by stress of boredom); tension increase = inability to sit still. What to do? Associate tone with stress, tell child to avoid tone, child maintains low stress through coping mechanisms…

9. Means to Help with Operant Conditioning
Through a method known as Programmed Learning – a method that uses operant cond. techniques of presenting an organism with stimuli; an organism can receive reinforcement for a correct response
By using frames an organism is given material that requires an active response, i.e. answering a question or completing a statement
Feedback – positive or negative – is provided immediately.
Errors are few and far between; learners are encouraged to go in right direction even with mistakes
The learner is given the opportunity to act on their environment, while being guided through established questions/scenarios.
i.e. flight simulators, equipment operating, etc.