Psych - Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning

Theory argues that people consciously modify their behaviour in response to reward or punishment

Name the four methods of operant conditioning

• Positive reinforcement

• Negative reinforcement

• Positive punishment

• Negative punishment

What does reinforcement seek to do?

it seeks to encourage a behaviour

What does punishment seek to do?

discourage a behaviour

Define positive reinforcement and give an example

• Presentation of a reward to encourage a behaviour

• Ex. students get praise and is given a sticker everytime they complete their homework on time.

compare negative vs positive in the context of operant conditioning

positive - presents something

negative - removal

Define negative reinforcement and give two examples

• Removal of a punishment to encourage a behaviour

• Ex.

  • A driver fastens their seatbelt to stop the car’s annoying beeping sound

  • an employee can leave early on a Friday after being punctual all week

Define positive punishment and give 2 examples

• Presentation of an aversive stimulus to discourage a behaviour

• Ex.

  • student given extra homework when they talk during class

  • giving a dog verbal reprimand for jumping up

Define negative punishment and give an example

• Remove a reward/ positive stimulus to discourage the continuation of a behaviour

• Ex. a teenager’s phone gets confiscated because they stayed out past curfew

reinforcement schedules (TBD)

Examples of operant conditioning