3.8 Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning

Associating consequences (either reinforcement or punishment) with behaviors

Law of Effect

Behaviors with reinforcing consequences are more
likely to be repeated; those with punishing consequences are less likely

Positive Reinforcement

Getting a reward for doing something

*Get money for doing chores

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an undesirable stimulus

*Removing a loud alarm when kid does chore

Positive Punishment

Adding an undesirable stimulus

*Get time out for kicking sister

Negative Punishment

Removing a desirable stimulus

*Get iPad taken away for biting brother

Primary Reinforcers

Naturally reinforcing, satisfy biological needs

Secondary Reinforcers

Learned reinforcers, associated with primary reinforcers

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcement is delivered for each correct behavior

Partial Reinforcement

Reinforcement is delivered on a variable schedule

Fixed Interval

Reinforcement is given after fixed time period

Variable Interval

Reinforcement after varying time intervals

Fixed Ratio

Reinforcement after a set number of responses

Variable Ratio

Reinforcement after a varying number of responses