Key Terms
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learning a relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs as a result of practice or experience.
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EL Thorndike Psychologist who stated the definition of operant conditioning as " responses are learned whenever they are followed by a satisfying state of affairs."
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shaping The process in operant conditioning by reinforcing successive approximations of a desire response until that response is made.
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acquisition likelyhood of a reinforced response increases.
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extinction likelyhood of a reinforced response decreases as reinforcers are withheld.
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spontaneous recovery a previously extinguished response returns after a rest interval.
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reinforcement the process in which a response is made more or less likely.
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positive reinforcement when a stimulus is added making a response more likely to happen again.
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negative reinforcement when a stimulus is taken away (removal of a punishment) to make a response more likely to happen again.
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punishment when a stimulus is added making a response less likely.
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primary reinforcers biological essentials used to make a behavior more likely such as food and water.
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secondary reinforcers learned or acquired reinforcers that will make a behavior more likely such as money, praise, position, power, promotions.
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Mr Rupert's QuizTest your knowledge on Operant Conditioning.
Skinner
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B.F. Skinner. (2016). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://school.eb.com.au.db.plcscotch.wa.edu.au/levels/high/article/68114
B.F. Skinner, in full Burrhus Frederic Skinner, (born March 20, 1904, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, U.S.—died August 18, 1990, Cambridge, Massachusetts), American psychologist and an influential exponent of behaviourism, which views human behaviour in terms of responses to environmental stimuli and favours the controlled, scientific study of responses as the most direct means of elucidating human nature.
Introduction
"Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning) is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior."
TedEd
Andover, P. (2013, March 7). The difference between classical and operant conditioning. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6LEcM0E0io
Overview
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St. Rosemary Educational Institution. (2016, February 8). Learning - operant conditioning. Retrieved from http://schoolworkhelper.net/learning-classical-conditioning-operant-conditioning/
Operant conditioning – type of learning in which behaviour is influenced by its consequences.
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Cherry, K. (2015, December 29). Operant conditioning how reinforcement and punishment modify behavior. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/a/introopcond.htm
Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning) is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior.
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Khan Academy. (n.d.). What is classical conditioning. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/behavior/learning-slug/a/classical-and-operant-conditioning-article
In operant conditioning, the consequences which come after a behavior will vary, to alter that behavior. Imagine years down the road you are still enamored of delicious PB&J sandwiches, and now are trying to teach yourself to be a good roommate. The house rule is that whoever leaves their dishes unwashed the longest has to take out the trash. You hate taking out the trash, so you develop a system - whenever you remember to wash your plate, you are allowed to surf the internet, otherwise you’re not allowed.
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McLeod, S. (2014). Classical Conditioning. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/classical-conditioning.html
Classical conditioning theory involves learning a new behavior via the process of association. In simple terms two stimuli are linked together to produce a new learned response in a person or animal. There are three stages of classical conditioning. At each stage the stimuli and responses are given special scientific terms:
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Staddon, J. T. (2003). Operant conditioning. Annual Review Of Psychology, 54(1), 115.
Operant behavior is behavior “controlled” by its consequences. In practice,
operant conditioning is the study of reversible behavior maintained by reinforcement
schedules. We review empirical studies and theoretical approaches to two large
classes of operant behavior: interval timing and choice.
Dog Training Examples
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de O'Laughlin, N. (2016). Dog training excellence. Retrieved from http://www.dog-training-excellence.com/operant-conditioning.html
Dog trainers and people in general use the term “positive” to imply that they use rewards as the main dog training technique. They use “negative” to imply an obedience method based on corrections.