Download Operant Conditioning (1)

Operant Conditioning
B. F. Skinner
• Called Thorndike’s instrumental conditioning,
operant conditioning. (Law of effect)
– Developed four different training procedures.
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Positive reinforcement: (Reward)
Negative reinforcement: (Takes away unpleasantness)
Punishment: (consequences)
Omission training (Behavior includes loss of something
of value)
Pigeon Guided Missiles
B.F. Skinner
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIbZB6rN
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Operant Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning:
– People and animals learn to do certain things and
not to do others. (Learn consequences)
– Positive and negative consequences for behavior
are taught through reinforcement.
• Reinforcement provides a person with the motivation
to do or not do something. (Depending on the type of
reinforcement.)
Positive and Negative Reinforcers
• Positive reinforcers- something that increases
the frequency of good behaviors. (food, fun
activities, and social approval)
– Positive reinforcement will work differently for
different people. (Rewards)
• Negative reinforcers- something that
decrease the frequency of bad behaviors.
(Unpleasant consequences, discomfort, fear)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guroaQRF
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Reinforcement Schedules
Types of Reinforcement
• Continuous Reinforcement
– Reinforcing the desired response every time it
occurs.
• Partial Reinforcement
– Reinforcing a response only part of the time.
Causes acquisition to take longer, but extinction
does not happen as quickly.
Schedules
• Fixed-ratio schedule
– A reinforcement scheduled that reinforces a response only after
a specified number of response. (5 times = reinforcement)
• Variable ratio schedule
– A reinforcement schedule that is unpredictable. (5 time =
reinforcement, 3 times = reinforcement).
• Fixed-interval schedule
– A reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response only after
time has passed. (2 weeks = paycheck)
• Variable-interval schedule
– A reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response at
unpredictable time intervals. (Sound that happens when you get
a text message)
Applications of Operant Conditioning
Skinner introduced the concept of teaching
machines that shape learning in small steps and
provide reinforcements for correct rewards.
LWA-JDL/ Corbis
In School
Applications of Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement principles can enhance athletic
performance.
In Sports
Applications of Operant Conditioning
Reinforcers affect productivity. Many companies
now allow employees to share profits and
participate in company ownership.
At work
Applications of Operant Conditioning
In children, reinforcing good behavior increases
the occurrence of these behaviors. Ignoring
unwanted behavior decreases their occurrence.