1. William G. Huitt Educational Psychology Interactive William G. Huitt Educational Psychology Interactive Last rev: June 2012

2. Ivan Pavlov—Russian scientist trained in biology and medicine Studied digestive system in dogs Operant Conditioning The study of the impact of consequences on voluntary behavior. Major theorists – Edward Thorndike – John Watson – B. F. Skinner The study of the impact of consequences on voluntary behavior. Major theorists – Edward Thorndike – John Watson – B. F. Skinner Dominant learning paradigm in USA psychology from the 1930s to the 1950s

3. Operant Conditioning Classical conditioning: stimuli elicits involuntary behavior Operant conditioning: stimuli connected to changes in voluntary behavior Organism treated as a “black box.” Classical conditioning: stimuli elicits involuntary behavior Operant conditioning: stimuli connected to changes in voluntary behavior Organism treated as a “black box.” Stimulus (S) Organism (O) Response (R)

4. Operant Conditioning Three-term model Antecedent Stimulus (S) Response (R) Consequence (S) Antecedent stimulus – signals next response will be followed by a consequence

5. Operant Conditioning Three-term model Antecedent Stimulus (S) Response (R) Consequence (S) Antecedent stimulus – when organism changes behavior, called discriminative stimulus

6. Operant Conditioning Three-term model Antecedent Stimulus (S) Response (R) Consequence (S) Response– target overt behavior

7. Operant Conditioning Three-term model Antecedent Stimulus (S) Response (R) Consequence (S) Consequence -- a stimulus following a target behavior that changes the probability that it occurs again

8. Operant Conditioning Two types of stimuli that can serve as consequences Positive (sometimes called pleasant) Negative (sometimes called aversive) Two types of stimuli that can serve as consequences Positive (sometimes called pleasant) Negative (sometimes called aversive) Neutral stimulus -- a stimulus following a target behavior that does not change the probability that it occurs again

9. Operant Conditioning Two actions can be taken with the stimuli: They can be ADDED to the learner’s environment They can be SUBTRACTED from the learner’s environment Two actions can be taken with the stimuli: They can be ADDED to the learner’s environment They can be SUBTRACTED from the learner’s environment

10. Operant Conditioning Two results can be achieved: Adding or subtracting (removing) the stimulus results in an INCREASE in the probability the behavior occurs again Adding or subtracting (removing) the stimulus results in a DECREASE in the probability the behavior occurs again Two results can be achieved: Adding or subtracting (removing) the stimulus results in an INCREASE in the probability the behavior occurs again Adding or subtracting (removing) the stimulus results in a DECREASE in the probability the behavior occurs again

11. Operant Conditioning Neutral stimulus – If adding or subtracting a stimulus following a target behavior does not change the probability that it occurs again

12. Four major operant conditioning techniques result from Considering the purpose (increase or decrease a target behavior Selecting a stimulus (positive/pleasant or negative/aversive Four major operant conditioning techniques result from Considering the purpose (increase or decrease a target behavior Selecting a stimulus (positive/pleasant or negative/aversive Operant Conditioning Determine action to be taken (add or subtract)

13. Operant Conditioning Outcomes of Conditioning Increase Behavior Decrease Behavior

14. Operant Conditioning Outcomes of Conditioning Increase Behavior Decrease Behavior Stimulus Positive/ pleasant Negative/ Aversive

15. Operant Conditioning Outcomes of Conditioning Decrease Behavior Stimulus Positive/ pleasant Negative/ Aversive Add Positive Reinforcement Subtract Response Cost Subtract Negative Reinforcement Add Punishment Increase Behavior

16. Operant Conditioning Outcomes of Conditioning Decrease Behavior Stimulus Positive/ pleasant Negative/ Aversive Add Positive Reinforcement Subtract Response Cost Subtract Negative Reinforcement Add Punishment Increase Behavior

17. Operant Conditioning To learn about using schedules when deciding how to apply operant conditioning