operant conditioning

Trial and Error Learning 

Learning that occurs when a response is associated with a successful solution after a series of unsuccessful attempts.

Developed by Edward Thorndike using cats, dogs, and monkeys in a Puzzle box.

Operant Conditioning

Type of learning in which the consequences of behavior are manipulated, or shaped, in order to increase or decrease that behavior in the future

Behavior that is reinforced (followed by a rewarding experience) tends to be repeated

Behavior that is ignored or punished tends NOT to be repeated

Reinforcer

Anything that strengthens the probability of a response

Shaping

Technique to condition responses that would not occur naturally

Modify (change) behavior or thinking with positive reinforcement

Superstitions

-Person falsely believes a connection exists between the act and the consequence

Positive Reinforcement-

Any positive consequence to a response, causes a good thing to happen, behavior increases

-Reward, raise, promotion, award, bonus, praise, etc.

Negative Reinforcement- 

To end or avoid any situation or condition, causes a bad thing to stop, behavir increases

Examples:

• Eat to end bad condition of hungry

-NOT PUNISHMENT

Primary Reinforcer- 

A reinforcement that fulfills a basic physical need for survival; does not depend on learning

Examples:

 Food, Water, Sleep, Ending Pain

Secondary Reinforcer- 

A reinforcement acquired or learned by association with other reinforcers.

Example:

    Money, Praise, good grades, awards, attention, etc.

Punishment

• Any consequence that DECREASES the likelihood of a behavior.

Example:  

Getting grounded for getting home late will decrease the likelihood of being late in the future

Continuous Reinforcement

Reinforcing every correct response

-Best reinforcement

Partial Reinforcement 

Some, but not all, correct responses are rewarded (reinforced)

Example: Rat gets food every 3^rd time it presses bar

Schedule of reinforcement: ratio

Certain NUMBER of correct responses before reinforcement

-Can be fixed/variable

Schedule of reinforcement: interval

Certain AMOUNT of TIME between reinforcement

-Can be fixed/variable

1. fixed ratio

Reinforcement given after a fixed number of correct responses

Example: 

   Food given after 30 bar presses

Example: 

   Workers paid $5 for every basket of apples picked

-Very effective, faster the responses done, more of reinforcement

2. Variable Ratio- 

Reinforcement given after varying number of correct responses

Most resistant to extinction; addictive

Examples: 

Food given every 10 presses of bar, then after 30 presses, then after 20 presses.

Uses of variable ratio

Unpredictablty of reinforcement keeps correct responses going

-slot machines

-roulette wheels

fixed interval

Reinforcement given after period of time passes.

Example: Food given every 60 seconds to rat pressing bar.

Number of correct responses not important.

variable interval

Reinforcement given after 1^st correct response and then after a varying amount of time, usually based on an average time

Example: Reinforcement after 30 sec., then 90 sec., 45 sec. And 75 sec.  (avg.=60 sec.)

positive punishment

causes a bad thing to happen, behavior decreases

negative punishment

causes a good thing to stop , behavior decreases