Operant Conditioning PDF

Operant Conditioning What is Operant Conditioning? Operant Conditioning - a type of learning in which the frequency of a behavior(how often it occurs) depend on the consequences that follow that behavior(the events that follow). Can you train a toddler to throw tantrums MORE frequently? Can a par...

Operant Conditioning What is Operant Conditioning? Operant Conditioning - a type of learning in which the frequency of a behavior(how often it occurs) depend on the consequences that follow that behavior(the events that follow). Can you train a toddler to throw tantrums MORE frequently? Can a parent be trained to give their children candy for bad behavior? What is the Law of Effect? Operant conditioning was developed by Edward Thorndike In his work he defines the law of effect as, behaviors with favorable consequences will occur more frequently and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences will occur less frequently.  What are Reinforcement & Punishment? B.F. Skinner - developed the fundamental principles of operant conditioning Reinforcement - Any consequence that increases the future likelihood of a behavior Punishment - any consequence that decrease the future likelihood of a behavior Who Chooses the Reinforcement or Punishment? Can broccoli be used Is yelling at a child as a reinforcement for always a punishment taking out the trash? for poor behavior? Skinner Box Reinforcement Positive Reinforcement - Negative Reinforcement - anything that increases the anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior by likelihood of a behavior by following it with a desirable following it with the removal event or state. of an undesirable event or state. Example: getting $10 for each A on your report card. Example: taking advil to relieve a headache  Immediate Vs Delayed Reinforcement Immediate reinforcement is more effective then delayed reinforcement Consider addictive substances - the immediate reinforcement of nicotine (the rushed produced by the chemicals) is more effective then the undesirable effects of lung disease or cardiovascular disease The ability to delay gratification can be a long term indicator of success... Primary Vs. Secondary Reinforcement Primary Reinforcement - something that is naturally reinforcing such as food, warmth, and water Secondary Reinforcement - something that you have learned to value, like money How Does Punishment Influence Behavior? Punishment can take two forms Positive punishment - anything that decreases the likelihood of a behavior by following it with something undesirable (touching a hot stove) Negative punishment - anything that decrease the likelihood with of a behavior by removing something desirable ( losing TV or gaming privileges) What are some common problems with Punishment? doesn’t end the desire to engage in a behavior Can lead to fear and anxiety Aggressive behavior modeled by adults may lead to an increase in aggressive behavior Punishment is most effectively used to quickly address dangerous behaviors How can we apply operant conditioning to a behavior that hasn’t yet occured (or to learn a new behavior)? Shaping - reinforcement of a behavior that is increasingly similar to the desired one; the operant technique used to establish new behaviors. What is a time that you have learned a new behavior through shaping? Learning New Habits The key to learn or develop a new habit is self control Self Control is the process of exerting control over our thoughts, fears or actions. Research shows that exercising control in one area can have positive effects in other areas. Schedules of Reinforcement Why would you continue to put your money in the vending machine on the left after receiving nothing but not the one on the right? Continuous Reinforcement In operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement in which a reward follows every correct response This is most useful in establishing new behaviors The problem with continuous reinforcement is if the reinforcement stops the behavior can easily become extinguished Partial Reinforcement In operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement in which a reward follows only some correct responses We are more reluctant to give up when we don’t know when the next reward is coming There are four types of partial reinforcement Fixed interval Variable interval Fixed Ratio Variable Ratio Interval Schedule Fixed Interval - rewards only the first correct response after some defined time period Example: a quiz every Friday Variable Interval - rewards the first correct response after an unpredictable amount of time. Example: a pop quiz Ratio Schedule Fixed Ratio - rewards a response only after some defined number of correct responses Example: Buy 10 get 1 free promotions Variable Ratio - rewards a response after an unpredictable number of correct responses Example: slot machines The Role of Cognition Latent Learning - learning that occurs but is not apparent until the learner has an incentive to demonstrate it. This is evident in mice who are able to explore a maze without reward performing better long term than those who are rewarded from the beginning. Overjustification effect - can result from rewarding a behavior that someone already enjoys doing. This can be seen when there are too many reward systems in place.