Operant Conditioning
Chapter 9
Section 2
Objectives




Describe and apply components of
operant conditioning.
Identify B.F. Skinner.
Analyze uses and effectiveness of
reinforcement and punishment.
Describe reinforcement schedules.
Warm Up


What is learning?
Relatively permanent
change in behavior
that results from
experience.
Review of Prior Learning






You always talk to your (boy/girl) friend while sitting in
your beanbag chair. After an ugly breakup, you find that
even looking at the chair upsets you, so you give it to
Goodwill.
Identify the NS-UCS-UCR-CS-CR
What would be occurring if you couldn’t sit in any chair
while talking on the phone?
What if you only refused to sit in beanbag chairs?
What if you go away to college and your roommate has
a chair that makes you chuckle as you sit in it and think
about the story?
And this can only occur after it’s gone away which is
called?
Classical vs. Operant Conditioning


Classical
Environment provides
the stimulus and the
subject responds.


Operant
Environment responds
to the subject’s
behavior (stimulus).
Edward Thorndike

Thorndike’s Law of
Effect

Rewarded behavior
likely to recur
B.F. Skinner

Behavior influenced
by history of its
consequences
Skinner Box
Shaping

Reward behaviors close to the behavior he
was looking for until animal performed
desired behavior.
Operant Conditioning




Reward
A.k.a. Positive
Reinforcement
Actions taken that
result in 
consequences
Behavior more likely
to occur again



Punishment
Actions taken that
result in 
consequences
Behavior less likely to
occur again
Operant Conditioning



Negative
Reinforcement
Actions taken to avoid
punishments
Behavior more likely
to occur again



Omission Training
Actions taken which
result in something 
being taken away
Behavior less likely to
occur again
Operant Conditioning Chart
Pleasant
+
_
Aversive
Positive
Reinforcement
Punishment
Omission
Training
Negative
Reinforcement
Activity


Introduction to Operant Conditioning
“problems”
When you’ve worked your way through
the problem, identify which principle of
operant conditioning is at work.
( +R, -R, OT, P)
Day 2 Warm Up



What’s the difference
between classical and
operant conditioning?
Classical-subject responds
to environment
Operant – environment
responds to subject’s
behavior.
Review





Which principle of operant conditioning…
Presents something unpleasant?
Takes something pleasant away?
Takes something unpleasant away?
Presents something pleasant?
Types of Reinforcers

Primary Reinforcer



Value doesn’t need to
be learned.
Satisfies basic human
need.
Ex: Food, sleep

Secondary Reinforcer



Value has to be
learned
Without conditioning,
it would have no +/value
Ex: $, Praise, Hug,
Grades
Providing Reinforcement

Continuous
Reinforcement

Reinforcement given
every time desired
behavior occurs

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcement only
given sometimes after
desired behavior
occurs.
Online Activity



PsychSim 5.0 “Operant Conditioning”
http://www.worthpublishers.com/explorin
g5e/content/psychsim5/Operant%20Condi
tioning/PsychSim_Shell.html
This activity will review classical and
operant conditioning and introduce you to
schedules of reinforcement.
4 Schedules of Partial
Reinforcement

Ratio Schedule

# of correct responses
subject makes
between
reinforcement


Rate of
Reinforcement:
Fixed


Interval Schedule

Amt of time that
passes before
reinforcement given

If time or # of
responses is constant
Variable

If time or # of
responses is random
4 Schedules of Partial
Reinforcement

Fixed-Ratio


Reinforcement occurs
after specific,
unchanging # of
responses.
Variable-Ratio


Reinforcement occurs
after unpredictable #
of responses.
Fixed-Interval


Reinforcement occurs
after set amt of time
Variable-Interval

Reinforcement occurs
at unpredictable time
interval
Activity

Schedules of Reinforcement
Activity
Operant Practice
(Principles and Reinforcement Schedules)

Closure

What is the difference between operant
and classical conditioning?