4B Operant conditioning

Operant conditioning + notes

Operant conditioning is a three-phase learning process that involves an antecedent, behaviour, and consequence, whereby the consequence of a behaviour determines the likelihood that it will reoccur. Like classical conditioning, operant conditioning is an example of a behaviourist approach to learning.

• ex. of behaviourist approach to learning

• suggests occurs thru interacting w/ external environment

• behaviour not influenced by thoughts/feelings/emotions but by direct, observable environmental consequences for behaviour

• 3 stages -> without all phases, learning will likely not occur

3 Phases of operant conditioning + examples

Antecedent - the stimulus or event that precedes and often elicits a particular behaviour e.g. owner says command word 'sit' to their dog

Behaviour - the voluntary actions that occur in the presence of the antecedent e.g. dog sits in resp. to command word 'sit'

Consequence - the outcome of the behaviour, which determines the likelihood that it will occur again e.g. owner gives dog a treat after they sit upon command -> increasing likelihood that dog will sit on command again in future

Reinforcement + 2 types + examples

Reinforcement - a consequence that increases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring

Positive reinforcement - the addition of a desirable stimulus, which in turn increases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring e.g. studying hard for a test (behaviour) + receiving a high mark (addition of desirable stimulus)

Negative reinforcement - the removal of an undesirable stimulus, which in turn increases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring e.g. going for a run (behaviour) when you are stressed (undesirable experience of tension/discomfort) -> decreases tension so that likelihood of going for run increases

Punishment + 2 types

Punishment - consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring

Positive punishment - the addition of an undesirable stimulus, which in turn decreases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring e.g. friend criticising you (addition of undesirable stimulus) for being late (behaviour)

Negative punishment (also known as response cost) - the removal of a desirable stimulus, which in turn decreases the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring e.g. not being allowed to go to party (removal of desirable stimulus) for bad behaviour (behaviour)

Similarities of classical conditioning and operant conditioning

• Both are behaviourist approaches to learning.

• Both are three-phase processes of learning.

• Both require several trials in order for learning to occur. e.g. during classical conditioning, the neutral and unconditioned stimuli need to be repeatedly paired in order for learning to occur. In operant conditioning, learning is more likely to occur if the consequence occurs several times in response to a behaviour.

Differences of classical conditioning and operant conditioning

• Operant conditioning involves learning a voluntary behaviour, whereas classical conditioning involves learning an involuntary behaviour.

• Learners are active during operant conditioning, whereas learners are passive during classical conditioning.

• Operant conditioning requires a consequence, whereas there is no kind of consequence during classical conditioning.