1. Learning
Operant Conditioning

2. Objectives
To define the term operant conditioning and the four basic procedure used in this learning
To explore the role of operant conditioning in daily life
To apply the principles of operant conditioning

3. Operant conditioning is a type of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences.

4. Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is giving something pleasant after a behavior. This increases the probability that the behavior will continue
Examples are:
Having a job and going to work every day to receive a paycheck.
Receiving praise after a musical performance would increase the amount that you perform.

5. Negative Reinforcement
Negative reinforcement is taking away something unpleasant as a result of the behavior that is acceptable. This is also meant to increase the behavior. Examples are:
It is very noisy outside so you turn on the television to mask the noise. Turning on the radio decreased the unpleasant noise.
A teacher exempts student from the final test if they have perfect attendance. So, the teacher is taking away something unpleasant to increase behavior.

6. Positive Punishment
Positive punishment is used to decrease a behavior and is presenting something unpleasant after the behavior. Examples are:
An employee exhibits bad behavior at work and the boss criticizes him. The behavior will decrease because of the boss’s criticism.
When a student misbehaves in class, she receives a time out.

7. Negative Punishment
Negative punishment is also used to decrease a behavior and is removing something pleasant after the behavior. Examples are:
An employee is habitually late for work so begins losing the privilege of listening to music while working. The behavior will decrease because of losing a privilege.
A child doesn’t put his bike away so the parents lock it up for a certain time. The parents took away something pleasant to decrease behavior.

8. B.F. Skinner 1904-1990 Harvard psychologist Added to behaviorism
Introduced concept of reinforcement
Studied lab animals
Taught animals based on reward
People learn same way

9. Operant Chamber Box

10. The Skinner Box?