BEHAVIOURISM: LEARNING APPROACH SKINNER

OPERANT CONDITIONING - SKINNER

This theory states that we learn via the consequences of our actions

REINFORCERS

• Reinforcers are responses from the environment that increase the probability of a behaviour being repeated

• Reinforcers can either be positive or negative, OR there is punishment

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

When a behaviour is followed by a positive consequence, the behaviour increases; we’re motivated to i crease the behaviour

NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

When a behaviour leads to something unpleasant, stopping the frequency of the behaviour increases (not doing the behaviour), and we are motivated not to repeat it. E.g. taking paracetamol for a headache

PUNISHMENT

When a behaviour is followed by an unpleasant consequence, the frequency of the behaviour decreases and we are motivated not to repeat the behaviour. This decreases likelihood of repetition

FEATURES OF OPERANT CONDITIONING

• Behaviour shaping

• Schedules of reinforcement

BEHAVIOUR SHAPING

Complex behaviours can be conditioned by reinforcing behaviours that resemble the desired response on each occassion (successive approximations). This is loosely defined as shaping people to do what you wish them to

SCHEDULES OF REINFORCEMENT

A continuous reinforcement schedule is most effective in gaining a specific response

But a partial or variable reinforcement e.g. reinforcing every 3rd time the behaviour occurs, or reinforcing after a random amount of time, is more effective in maintaining the response and avoiding extinction

(Reward everytime the behaviour is good)

STRENGTH - TIGHTLY CONTROLLED CONDITIONS

• ensured no other stimuli present which could affect behaviour of animal in Skinner box

• They were kept socially isolated so they were able to learn to press/avoid the level by oversving other animals

• This means it can be replicated so we can assess reliability. This is bc results were consistent

WEAKNESS - LACKS GENERALISABILITY

• human brains are more complex than those of pigeons and rats, and are capable of higher order thoughts such as decision making and problem solving

• So we cannot be sure that the process of learning in animals in Skinners experiment would be the same in humans

WEAKNESS- UNETHICAL

• Rats are social creatures who often live in groups. Keeping them isolated is unethical and goes against their natural environment

• Therefore experiments like this are no longer replicated