1. Operant Conditioning Applications
Same ‘Ol Extensions
All of the classical conditioning extensions apply to operant conditioning as well
ACQUISITION
When the organism connects the behavior with the stimulus
EXTINCTION
When you stop pairing the stimulus with the behavior
SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY
After a rest period, you pair the stimulus with the behavior again
GENERALIZATION
Behavior is affected by a stimulus similar to the original
DISCRIMINATION
Behavior is not affected by a stimulus similar to the original
How would each of these extensions apply to training a dog to sit through use of treat rewards?

2. Skinner Box
A device where an animal can press a lever to receive a food or water reinforcer
Devices are attached to record the animal’s rate of bar pressing

3. Shaping
A procedure that teaches a complex behavior by reinforcing small steps/approximations toward completion of the behavior
Positively Reinforce each small step along the way
How could you shape a child to walk?
Give them a candy when they start crawling toward you
“Good job” when they sit upright
Hug and a kiss when they stand up

4. Types of Reinforcers
Primary reinforcers are biologically reinforcing stimuli that all people naturally desire
Food and water are perfectly examples since we need these to survive
Conditioned (secondary) reinforcers are those that can be exchanged for a primary reinforcer in some manner
Money, grades, power, prestige, etc.
Conditioned (Secondary) Reinforcer
Primary Reinforcer
Other Examples???
Other Examples???

5. Latent Learning
Learning that is occurring but will not be demonstrated by an organism until it is given a reason to do so
Rats may learn a maze, but won’t actually go through it fast unless there’s an incentive
This indicates they’ve developed a cognitive map (a mental representation of the layout of one’s environment)
You may be learning right now, but I have no idea until I give you an incentive to demonstrate it (test day!)

6. Overjustification Effect
Giving a reward for already desired behavior will reduce one’s aspiration to engage in that behavior
If you already enjoy a behavior, ENJOYMENT is the reward for it
If you start getting PAID to do something you already enjoy, you are over-rewarding (overjustifying) why you do the behavior… your brain doesn’t naturally like this
So the enjoyment of the behavior is replaced by the payment
So… should you really get a job “doing what you love”???
Have you ever noticed college athletes seem to be more passionate about their sport than professional athletes?

7. Token Economy
An individual is given a token as a reward for performing a desired behavior; tokens can be exchanged for sought-after prizes
Basic example of Positive Reinforcement
Used in schools, mental institutions, prisons, households, etc.
Can you think of any examples of this at the high school?

8. Premack Principle
Using a desired behavior to reinforce a non-desired behavior
Sometimes a behavior can serve as a reward for another behavior!
For example, telling yourself you can watch the entire season of Game of Thrones if you finish your essay first.
Different people find different things motivating though, so the same motivators won’t work for everyone

9. Cognitive processes are also at work in operant learning
Cognitive Processes and Biological Predispostions of Operant Conditioning
Cognitive processes are also at work in operant learning
Animals on a time-based reinforcement schedule respond more frequently as the time gets closer to the reinforcer
For example, students study the most the night before a test
This proves that their expectations play a role in learning
Regarding biology, it is easier to reinforce animal behaviors normally associated with their natural actions
You can use food reinforcement to teach your dog to sit, but you probably won’t be able to teach it to dance