Learning Operant Conditioning Objectives To define the term

Learning Operant Conditioning

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

Operant Chamber Box

The Skinner Box?