1. Operant conditioning B.F. Skinner (1904 – 1990)
Class 4. Treasure hunt – hide candy. Instead of a “hot”/”cold”, use “yea”/”boo”. Based on treasure hunt, what do you think operant conditioning is? Have students brainstorm.

2. Operant conditioning
“Organisms associate their own actions with consequences. Behaviour is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer, or diminished if followed by a punisher.”
Class 4. Consequences can be negative or positive.

3. Operant Chamber
A box with a bar that an animal presses to release a reward
Reward can be food or water
Class 4. Consequences can be negative or positive.

4. Operant Chamber
Skinner’s Box
Class 4.

5. Operant Chamber Food reinforced the desired behaviour
Any consequence that strengthens behaviour – Reinforcement
Procedure called shaping
Only reinforce desired behaviour
Class 4.

6. Reinforcement Two types of reinforcement: Positive reinforcement:
Strengthen a response by presenting a pleasurable stimulus after a response
Other examples?
Class 4.

7. Operant conditioning
Class 4. Skinner wanted to show people the kinds of results you could get by using positive reinforcement.

8. Reinforcement Two types of reinforcement:
2. Negative reinforcement:
Strengthen a response by reducing or removing an aversive stimulus
Other examples?
Class 4.

9. Reinforcement Continuous reinforcement
If a desired response is reinforced every time it occurs
Partial (intermittent) reinforcement
Responses are sometimes reinforced, but not always
Class 5.

10. Reinforcement Partial (intermittent) reinforcement
slower initial learning, but greater resistance to extinction
NYC pedestrian traffic signals
Slot machines
What are some ways you can use reinforcement to help you with your schoolwork? What about in your home life?

11. Reinforcement and Skinner
One of the most controversial figures of his time
Advocated administering rewards that promoted desirable behaviours
“Notice people doing something right and affirm them for it”.
Class 6. External influences shape behaviour, not internal thoughts and feelings.

12. Operant conditioning: Punishment
Opposite of reinforcement
Any consequence that decreases the frequency of a preceding behaviour
Tells you what not to do; reinforcement tells you what to do
Class 5.

13. Punishment Two types of punishment: Positive punishment
Administer an aversive stimulus
Ex) Spanking, parking ticket
Negative punishment
Withdraw a desirable stimulus
Ex) Revoked driver’s license, time-out
Class 5. Ask students to come up with examples of positive and negative punishment.

14. Punishment Punished behaviour never forgotten - suppressed
Increases aggressiveness
Creates fear, helplessness, depression
Does not guide behaviour (tells you what not to do)
Punishment teaches you how to avoid it
Class 6.