1. Behavior is changed by being REINFORCED!!!!
Operant Conditioning
Behavior is changed by being REINFORCED!!!!

2. B. F. Skinner
Voluntary responses come to be controlled by their consequences
Tend to repeat responses that are followed by favorable consequences
Tend to avoid, or not repeat, responses that are followed by neutral or unfavorable consequences

3. Types of Reinforcers
Positive reinforcers increase the probability that a response will occur:
Money: job, grades, chores

4. Positive Reinforcers Praise = increased effort
Attention = increased feelings of self-worth

5. Positive Reinforcers Food – cool dog tricks
Clowning around – kids act up to see if bad behavior will get them some attention

6. Positive Reinforcers
Even bad behavior will get you some attention!

7. Types of Reinforcers Negative Reinforcers
Increase the probability that a response or action will occur if the stimulus if removed
Calling in sick – reduces, removes, avoids or escapes the stimulus

8. Negative Reinforcers Addicts take drugs and avoid withdrawal symptoms
You hit the snooze button and avoid getting up out of bed

9. Negative Reinforcers
Take aspirin to avoid or remove a headache

10. So…..
Both Positive and Negative reinforcers increase the frequency of a behavior!!!

11. Punishment???? Punishment is used to decrease a behavior…
The presentation of a stimulus or event following a behavior that acts to decrease the likelihood of the behavior’s being repeated.
Teachers reprimand a misbehaving student
Friends make fun of your new outfit
Parents spank an unruly child

12. Two Factor Theory
Classical conditioning can create a phobia…

13. Two Factor Theory
Operant conditioning can maintain a phobia through avoidance!

14. Schedules of Reinforcement
How can we increase the rate of response or make it more resistant to extinction?
Deliver the reinforcer at varying rates or intervals!
How are the schedules determined?
The interval of time between correct responses
The ratio of correct responses to reinforcers

15. Skinner Box
The experimental apparatus invented by B.F. Skinner to study the relationship between environmental events and active behaviors or when a reinforcer should be introduced

16. Fixed- Interval: Time
A fixed amount of time occurs between presentation of the reinforcer
Pigeon pecks at one minute intervals
Report cards mailed home every six weeks
???

17. Variable Interval: Time
A variable amount of time elapses between presentation of reinforcers
Food pellets delivered at random times: pigeon pecks almost constantly
Pop quizzes
???

18. Fixed-Ratio
The reinforcer is provided after a set number of correct response
Pellets delivered every 10th try: pigeon pecks constantly
$25 for every 5 phone calls
???

19. Variable-Ratio
The reinforcer is provided randomly or after a variable number of correct responses
Pigeon pecks constantly
Slot Machines