Psychology of Learning:
Operant Conditioning
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Overview
Operant Conditioning Overview
 Reinforcement Schedules
 Introduction to Cognitive Theories of
Learning

Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
Law of effect: Responses followed by
positive outcomes are repeated while
those followed by negative outcomes are
not
 Operant Conditioning: Learn to behave
in ways that result in reinforcement

Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
Response
Reinforcement:
Punishment:
Positive
Reinforcement
Positive
Punishment
Negative
Reinforcement
Negative
Punishment
Stimulus
Repeat Behavior
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Positive:
Presentation
Negative:
Removal
Behavior Ends
Operant Conditioning

Reinforcement: Increase likelihood of response



Positive Reinforcement: Strengthens response by
presenting a pleasant stimulus
Negative Reinforcement: Strengthens a response by
removing an unpleasant stimulus
Punishment: Decrease likelihood of response


Positive Punishment: Weakens a response through
presentation of unpleasant stimulus
Negative Punishment: Weakens a response through
removing a pleasant stimulus
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
Stimulus
Response
Type
Good grade
Study
Positive
Reinforcement
Not sweep
compound
Homework
Negative
Reinforcement
Sent to
headmaster
Disrespect
Teacher
Positive
Punishment
No break-time
Cheat on
homework
Negative
Punishment
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning

Clapping hands for answering




Stimulus: Clapping hands
Response: Answering
Positive Reinforcement
Grounded for being late



Stimulus: Removal of friends
Response: Late
Negative Punishment
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning

Pinch for misbehaving




Stimulus: Pinch
Response: Misbehaving
Positive Punishment
Pepe in soup



Stimulus: Pepe
Response: Eat soup
Negative Reinforcement
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
Stimulus
Response
Type
Positive
Reinforcement
Negative
Reinforcement
Positive
Punishment
Negative
Punishment
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Reinforcement

Positive Reinforcement


Premack Principle: More desired activity is a
positive reinforcer for a less desired activity
Observe students to determine most
effective reinforcer
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Punishment

Negative Punishment


Extinction: Ignore the inappropriate behavior
by a child
Time Out: Remove a student from a
reinforcing environment




Remove all reinforcement
Consistently maintain
Short (1 minute per year of child)
Response Cost: Remove previously earned
rewards
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Punishment

Advantages


When used carefully and rarely, provides
information about inappropriate behaviors
Disadvantages



Obedience is not permanent
May classically condition negative emotions
Long history may lead to psychological harm
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Learned Helplessness

Learned Helplessness: Expectation all efforts
lead to failure
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
Discriminative
Stimulus
Operant
Response
Contingent
Stimulus
Classical
Conditioning
Conditioned
Stimulus
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Conditioned
Response
Operant Conditioning
Discriminative Stimulus: Learn cues for
when to demonstrate behavior
 Superstitions: Any discriminant cue
associated with a highly rewarding
experience may be reinforced, resulting in
a superstitious practice

Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
Classical Conditioning
 Involuntary Responses
 A conditioned stimulus
becomes associated
with an unconditioned
stimulus that results in
a conditioned response
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning
 Voluntary Responses
 A behavior (response)
is associated with a
reinforcer or
punishment (stimulus)
that influences future
behavior
Teaching via Operant Conditioning
Shaping: Reinforcing successive
approximations of a desired behavior
 Chaining: Reinforcing simple behaviors
that combine to a more complex behavior

Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning:
Maintaining Behavior

Reinforcement schedules



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Continuous: Reinforced after every behavior
Fixed Interval: Reinforced after fixed interval
of time
Variable Interval: Reinforced after average
amount of time
Fixed Ratio: Reinforced after fixed number of
responses
Variable Ratio: Reinforced after average
number of responses
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning:
Maintaining Behavior
Fixed
Behavior
Reward
Variable
Behavior
1
1
2
2
3
X
4
5
5
X
7
8
8
X
9
10
10
11
11
12
X
13
14
14
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
X
X
X
12
13
15
X
6
7
9
X
3
4
6
Reward
15
X
Operant Conditioning
Fixed:
Consistent
Variable:
Irregularly
Time
Fixed Interval
Variable Interval
Number of
Responses
Fixed Ratio
Variable Ratio
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning:
Maintaining Behavior

Reinforcing Mathematics Learning




Fixed Interval: Quiz every 3 weeks
Variable Interval: Quiz about every 3 weeks
Fixed Ratio: Reward after every 20 correct
problems
Variable Ratio: Reward after about every 20
correct problems
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning:
Maintaining Behavior
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Educational Implications

Planning Behavioral Change


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Collect baseline data
Set behavioral goals
Select procedures for changing behavior
Implement procedures and record results
Evaluate progress and revise as necessary
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Educational Implications

Class Attendance

Baseline Data:





Students attend 50% of classes
Goal: Students attend 90% of classes
Procedure: Students will receive a coupon for
a free chore for every 30 classes they attend
Record Results:
Evaluate progress: Great improvement in
attendance
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Educational Implications
Classroom Attendance
90%
85%
80%
75%
70%
65%
60%
55%
50%
45%
40%
Baseline
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Operant Conditioning

Strengths



Effective for short-term behavior modification
Straight-forward and easy to implement
Criticisms



Does not address cognitive processes
Behavior ends when reinforcement ends
May hinder intrinsic motivation
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Rewards and Motivation

Motivation



Motivation: Self Determination Theory


Intrinsic Motivation: Perform an activity for
inherent satisfaction in the activity
Extrinsic Motivation: Perform an activity for
a reason external to the activity
Rewards make one feel manipulated
Attitudes: Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Justify behavior by rewards
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning Overview


Results: Voluntary Responses
Means



Reinforcement increases behavior
Punishment decreases behavior
Inputs: Reinforcement and Punishment
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Operant Conditioning Overview





Learning Outcomes: Voluntary reactions
Role of the Learner: Passive
Role of the Instructor: Provide reinforcement
and punishment as necessary
Inputs for Learning: Reinforcement and
Punishment
Process of Learning: Associate reinforcement
and punishment with behaviors
Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos
Revision
Describe the four types of operant
conditioning
 Describe the five types of reward
schedules
 Which type of reward schedule leads to
the best behavior?

Dr. K. A. Korb
University of Jos