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Operant Conditioning. AP Psychology: Learning. What is Operant Conditioning?. Type of learning in which the frequency of a behavior increases or decreases depending on the consequence that follows the behavior. How is it different from Classical Conditioning?. Operant. Classical.
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Operant Conditioning AP Psychology: Learning
What is Operant Conditioning? • Type of learning in which the frequency of a behavior increases or decreases depending on the consequence that follows the behavior.
How is it different from Classical Conditioning? Operant Classical • These behaviors are voluntary, the learner chooses the behavior based on the consequence that follows the action • Ex: a student who receives extra credit for raising his or her hand will more likely raise his or her hand again because of the reward that followed VIDEO: Sheldon Trains Penny • These behaviors are respondent, the behaviors occur as an automatic response • Ex: Pavlov’s dogs did not CHOOSE to salivate, it automatically occurred VIDEO: BGSU
Edward Thorndike • Thorndike’s Law of Effect • Behaviors which are rewarded will be more likely to be repeated • Behaviors that are punished will be less likely to be repeated Puzzle Box
Struggles with Operant Conditioning • Because these behaviors are voluntary, it may take awhile as we have to wait for the behavior to occur • Can be slow and tedious • B.F. Skinner and the Skinner Box • Behaviorism Perspective • Created an atmosphere in which the researcher could control the events that lead to voluntary behaviors • The Skinner Box and pigeons
Reinforcement • The presentation of a stimulus or event (reinforcer) that follows a behavior or response, which increases the chances of the behavior or response being repeated. • Shaping—an operant conditioning technique, which uses reinfocers, like rewards to guide desired behavior.
Methods of Reinforcement:Positive Reinforcement • Increasing the likelihood of a behavior by following the behavior with a desired or favorable stimulus or event. • The addition (+) of a favorable stimulus following a behavior increases that behavior happening again. Video: Sheldon Trains Penny II
Methods of Reinforcement:Positive Reinforcement • A teacher wants to increase the amount of students raising their hand in class • Positive reinforcement by giving extra credit (favorable stimulus) after each time a student raises their hand (the desired behavior) • This results in students raising their hands more often in class (increasing behavior)
Methods of Reinforcement:Negative Reinforcement • Increasing the likelihood of a behavior by following the behavior by removing an undesirable stimulus or event. • The subtraction (-) of an undesirable stimulus following a behavior increases the chances that behavior happening again.
Methods of Reinforcement:Negative Reinforcement • A teacher wants to increase the amount of students raising their hand in class • Uses Negative reinforcement by telling her students that if they raise their hand more in class (desired behavior) then they do not have to take a quiz on Friday (removing undesirable stimulus) • Results in students raising their hands more often in class (increasing behavior)
Types of Reinforcers:Primary Reinforcer • An innate stimulus that satisfies a biological need • Ex: Food, Water • A coach promises his team that after a win they could get ice cream (primary reinforcer)
Types of Reinforcers:Conditioned (Secondary) Reinforcer • A learned reinforcer that gains valued through its association with a primary reinforcer • Ex: Money • A boss offers incentives, like bonuses for good work
Schedules of Reinforcement Continuous Reinforcement Partial Reinforcement • The reinforcer is given after every desired response • Teaches behavior quickly • Quickly extinguished when reinforcement is no longer provided. • The reinforcer is only given after a certain, not every desired response • Prevents, or at least slows extinguishing the desired behavior
Types of Partial Reinforcement Schedules • Fixed-Interval Schedule • Variable-Interval Schedule • Fixed-Ratio Schedule • Variable-Ratio Schedule
Fixed-Interval Schedule • Reinforcer is delivered after a specific (fixed) time (interval) period Example: • A teacher gives a quiz every Friday (fixed—every Friday/interval time schedule based on time/days). • The quiz every Friday increases the desired behavior of studying.
Variable-Interval Schedule • Reinforcer is delivered after a varying (unpredictable) time (interval) period Example: • A teacher frequently gives pop quizzes (variable—never know when it is coming). • The threat of a pop quiz increases the desired behavior of studying.
Fixed-Ratio Schedule • Reinforcer is delivered after a specific (fixed) number, or amount (ratio) Example: • A person gets their 5th cup of coffee free after previously buying 4 cups. • The promise of a 5th cup free increases the desired behavior of buying cups of coffee.
Variable-Ratio Schedule • Reinforcer is delivered after a varying (unpredictable) number, or amount Example: • Casino slots will pay off after an undetermined (variable) number of pulls (ratio) • The possibility of winning money increases the number of times people will pull the lever.
Punishment • The presentation of a negative, or aversive stimulus, or the removal of a pleasant stimulus that follows an undesirable behavior • Resulting in decreasing or lowering that behavior. Punishment=Decreases undesirable behavior Reinforcement=Increases desired behavior
Methods of Punishment:Positive Punishment • An undesirable action or response is presented following a behavior • Resulting in decreasing the behavior
Methods of Punishment:Positive Punishment • A teacher uses positive punishment by giving (adding) detentions to students who were excessively talking and would not do their work. • The teacher hopes to decrease the amount of talking in class by adding detentions.
Methods of Punishment:Negative Punishment • A desirable action, or event is removed following an undesirable behavior • Resulting in decreasing the behavior • Also known as “Omission Training”
Methods of Punishment:Negative Punishment • A teacher uses negative punishment by taking away (subtracting) recess from the day because the students were talking and would not do their work. • The teacher hopes to decrease the amount of talking by subtracting away recess
The Good Effects of Punishment • Punishment can effectively control certain behaviors if… • It comes immediately after the undesired behavior • It is consistent and not occasional • Especially useful if teaching a child not to do a dangerous behavior • Most still suggest reinforcing an incompatible behavior rather than using punishment
Problems with Punishment • Does not teach or promote alternative, acceptable behavior. • Only tells what NOT to do while reinforcement tells what to do. • Doesn’t prevent the undesirable behavior when away from the punisher in a “safe setting” • Can lead to fear of the punisher, anxiety, and lower self-esteem • Children who are punished physically may learn to use aggression as a means to solve problems.
Positive/Negative Reinforcement BOTH ARE GOOD THINGS!!!