Operant Conditioning

operant conditioning

type of learning where the consequence of a behaviour influences the likelihood of it occuring again

who introduced operant conditioning

B.F Skinner in 1930s

Phases of ABC model

• Antecedent

• Behaviour

• Consequence

Antecedent

initiates, stimulates or triggers the behaviour and signals probable consequences

Behaviour

voluntary action/ response to the antecedent

Consequence

what shapes or guides future behaviour, outcome of the behaviour

Find A B and C

Mandy wanted to get a good grade, so she studied hard, and felt satified when she got a good grade

Reinforcement

process that increases likelihood of behaviour reoccuring

reinforcer

a stimulus that strengthens a behaviour

Positive Reinforcement

adding a desireable stimulus to strengthen behaviour

Negative Reinforcement

removing an unpleasant stimulus to strengthen behavioiur

Punishment

a process that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccuring

positive punishment

adding an unpleasant stimulus to weaken behaviour

negative punishment

removing a desireable stimulus to weaken behaviour

Mnemonic for reinforcement

reinforcement, positivie, negative

• reinforcement= behaviour strengthened

• positive reinforcement= add something good

• Negative reinforcement= remove something bad

Mnemonic for punishment

punishment, positivie, negative

• punishment= behaviour weakened

• positive punishment= add something bad

• negative punishment= remove something good