Operant Conditioning

1
Operant Conditioning

• Reinforcement
• when a stimulus or event occurs that strengthens
  or increases the probability of a response
  reoccurring
• positive () reinforcement the following of a
  behavior with a pleasant consequence
• negative (-) a behavior brings about the removal
  of an unpleasant or aversive consequence

2
Principles of Reinforcement

• Reinforcers
• Primary Reinforcer
• innately reinforcing stimulus
• i.e., satisfies a biological need
• Secondary (Conditioned) Reinforcer
• usually learned
• i.e., praise, rewards, money,
• gains its reinforcing power through its
  association with primary reinforcer

3
Principles of Reinforcement

• Continuous Reinforcement
• reinforcing the desired response each time it
  occurs
• must initially occur for a behavior to be
  acquired quickly
• Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement
• reinforcing a response only part of the time
• results in slower acquisition but greater
  resistance to extinction
• must occur for a behavior to be continued

4
Operant Conditioning

• Punishment
• an aversive event that decreases the behavior
  that it follows
• positive punishment when a behavior is followed
  by an aversive or negative consequence
• negative punishment when a behavior is followed
  by the removal of a desirable stimulus

5
Operant Conditioning

• Punishers
• Primary Punisher
• usually innate and biological in nature
• i.e., heat, cold, hunger, physical discomfort
• Secondary Punisher
• usually learned
• i.e. criticism, shame, scolding, demerits, etc.
• gains influence when associated with primary
  punisher

6
Punishment

• For punishment to be effective
• must be consistent
• should not be done in anger or involve abuse
• should include info about what is expected or
  appropriate behavior
• should be followed with reinforcement of desired
  behavior

7
Operant vs Classical Conditioning