1. Operant Conditioning

2. Definition OperantClassical A type of learning in which the frequency of a behavior depends on the consequence that follows that behavior. A type of learning where a stimulus gains the power to cause a response because it predicts another stimulus that already produces the response

3. Leading psychologists Watson and PavlovB.F. Skinner Little Albert was conditioned to fear white fury objects Pavlov’s dog was conditioned to salivate at the ring of a bell Skinner taught pigeons to play ping pong and put his daughter in a glass box.

4. Basic Op. Conditioning Vocab Reinforcement- any consequence that INCREASES the future likelihood of a behavior Punishment- Any consequence that DECREASES the future likelihood of a behavior ◦The key is that the LEARNER not the TEACHER decides. ◦Does yelling work for you? ◦How do you respond when a teacher or a coach yells at you?

5. Reinforcers Positive Reinforcement Negative Reinforcement Any thing that increases the likelihood of a behavior by following it with a desirable event or state. Examples? Anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior by following it with the removal of an undesirable even t or state Examples?

6. Timely reinforcers…. DelayedImmediate Smoking can shorten your life…. If you don’t do well in school you will not get a good job and earn more money….. Smoking will make your breath stink and turn your teeth yellow If you get an A I will give you $50…..

7. Different types reinforcers PrimarySecondary Naturally rewarding…. Ex. Food, warmth, water Something we have learned to appreciate because it is paired with a primary reinforcer. ◦Ex. Money, Gold stars, stickers, grades

8. Is a negative reinforcer punishment? ◦You may follow an action with an undesirable event following the behavior. ◦a desirable state or event will end following the behavior. ◦What does this look like? How can your parents use a car to produce either of these? Remember that punishment weakens a behavior.

9. Problems with punishment? It does not end the desire to engage in the behavior Can lead to fear, anxiety, and low self- esteem Abusive parents tend to come from abusive households, but most abused children do not go on to become abusive parents.

10. Reinforcement Procedures Shaping- Positively reinforce behaviors that get closer and closer to the desired target. ◦Teach a squirrel to ski Discrimination- teach a subject to respond to specific stimulus. Do this by only reinforcing the correct response. Extinction- The loss of a behavior when no consequence follows it.