Operant conditioning

Who proposed this theory, and what it its key principle?

• operant conditioning is learning through consequence, where there is no pre-existing behaviour

• B.F. Skinner

Who inspired Skinner’s research

• Thorndike inspired Skinner, who elaborated on his more basic concepts to make it operant conditioning

• Edward Thorndike coined this type of learning ‘instrumental learning’

• Involved a puzzle box in which he times cats pulling on a string to open a trap door (to reach food). They has to learn by trial and error

What is reinforcement (and the two types)

ensuring good behaviour happens again

• positive reinforcement = to encourage positive behaviour to happen again, something good is added to the situation e.g. a reward/treat

• negative reinforcement = to increase good behaviour something bad is taken away e.g. being let off chores, removal of a C1

What is punishment

ensuring bad behaviour doesn’t happen again 

• positive punishment: to decrease bad behaviour something bad is given e.g. a C1

• negative punishment: to decrease bad behaviour, something good is taken away e.g. phone confiscated
  

The Skinner Box

• Skinner’s operant conditioning chamber was designed to teach rats how to push a level. This behaviour is not natural to rats, so operant conditioning with both positive and negative reinforcement was performed 

• PR - The rat was awarded with food when it pressed the lever

• NR - The rat was able to turn off the electric shocks produced by the floor by pressing the lever

Types of reinforcer

Primary reinforcer: occur naturally and satisfy basic needs such as food, water, love and shelter 

Secondary reinforcer: strengthen the behaviour because they are associated with the primary reinforcer 

Schedules of reinforcement

• Fixed interval: the response is rewarded only after a specified amount of time has elapsed e.g. a salary is paid into your bank every month 

• Fixed ratio: the response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses e.g. sales staff given bonus after hitting 3 sales, costa loyalty card  

• Variable ratio: occur when a response is reinforced after an unpredictable number of responses e.g. gambling  

• Variable interval: occur when a response is rewarded after an unpredictable amount of time has passed e.g. self-employed people are often not paid immediately or on a fixed date