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Edward Thorndike

Created the Law of Effect; behaviors with positive outcomes are repeated, negative outcomes are not.

Law of Effect

Behaviors followed by favorable consequences increase; those followed by unfavorable consequences decrease.

B.F. Skinner

Founded Operant Conditioning; studied reinforcement and punishment using the Skinner Box.

Operant Conditioning

Learning where behavior increases if reinforced, decreases if punished.

Skinner Box (Operant Chamber)

Box used to study animal behavior by delivering reinforcers or punishers.

shaping

Gradually teaching a behavior by reinforcing small steps toward the goal (successive approximations).

Reinforcement

Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior.

punishment

Any consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Add something pleasant → behavior increases

Negative Reinforcement

Remove something unpleasant → behavior increases

Primary Reinforcer

A naturally rewarding stimulus like food, water, warmth.

Secondary (Conditioned) Reinforcer

A learned reinforcer such as money, praise, or grades.

Positive Punishment

Add something unpleasant → behavior decreases

Negative Punishment

Remove something pleasant → behavior decreases