B.F. Skinner and Operant Conditioning Quiz

Operant Conditioning

• B.F. Skinner, an American psychologist, is famous for his pioneering research on learning and behavior.
• Operant conditioning is a type of learning that involves reinforcement and punishment.

Definition of Operant Conditioning

• Operant conditioning is learning in which voluntary behavior is strengthened or weakened by consequences or antecedents.
• Operant refers to voluntary (and generally goal-directed) behaviors emitted by a person or an animal.

Components of Operant Conditioning

• Antecedents: events that precede an action.
• Consequences: events that follow an action.

Reinforcement

• Reinforcer: any event that follows a behavior and increases the chances that the behavior will occur again.
• Reinforcement: process of using reinforcers to strengthen behavior.

Classification of Reinforcers

• Verbal: praise, encouragement.
• Physical: touches, pats, hugs.
• Non-Verbal: smiles, winks, warm looks.
• Activity: being allowed to play games, listen to music, etc.
• Token: points, chips, stars.
• Consumable: cookies.

Types of Reinforcement

• Positive Reinforcement: strengthening behavior by presenting a desired stimulus after the behavior.
• Negative Reinforcement: strengthening behavior by removing an aversive stimulus.

Punishment

• Punishment: any consequence that weakens or suppresses behavior.
• Positive Punishment: any event that, when given, decreases the frequency of a behavior.
• Negative Punishment: any event that, when removed, decreases the frequency of a behavior.

Reinforcement Schedules

• Fixed-Interval Schedule: when the learner is reinforced with an interval that is predictable.
• Variable-Interval Schedule: when the amount of time between reinforcers is allowed to change unpredictably.
• Fixed-Ratio Schedule: a schedule that reinforces students in a predictable way based on the number of responses.
• Variable-Ratio Schedule: a schedule that reinforces students in an unpredictable way based on the number of responses.

Comparing Classical and Operant Conditioning

• Classical conditioning results from the association of two stimuli, the US and the NS.
• Operant conditioning occurs when a response is followed by a reinforcer.
• In classical conditioning, the response is involuntary, while in operant conditioning, the response is voluntary.

Guidelines for Using Operant Conditioning

• Be clear and systematic in giving praise.
• Use reinforcement schedules to promote learning.