Skinner's Theory of Operant Conditioning

Types of Reinforcements:

1. Positive: a technique that rewards a desired behavior to increase the likelihood that the behavior will happen again.

• A desirable stimulus, such as praise or a reward, is given after a desired behavior. - being given something they liked

• The stimulus reinforces the behavior, making it more likely to happen again.

• The reinforcing stimulus is most effective when it happens right after the behavior.

2. Negative: a technique that encourages a desired behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus.

• Taking away an unwanted stimulus in order to encourage good behavior. - taking away something they don’t like

• Effective when used immediately after a desired behavior.

Schedule of Reinforcement:

• Ratio: a reinforcement schedule that rewards a subject after a specific number of responses - “number of times”

  • Ex: A child is rewarded with extra screen time after studying for 30+ minutes.

• Interval: a reinforcement schedule that rewards a desired behavior after a specific amount of time has passed - “based on the passage of time”

  • Ex: Receiving a paycheck every two weeks.

• Fixed: a consistent, reliable, predictable, and structured routine/schedule.

• Variable: an unpredictable schedule.

  • can increase motivation and make behaviors more resistant to extinction.

Types of Punishments:

1. Positive: a behavior modification technique that involves adding an undesirable consequence after an unwanted behavior.

• The goal is to make the behavior less appealing and decrease the likelihood of it happening again.

• Most effective when it's applied consistently and right after the unwanted behavior.

• The subject is being given something they don’t like.

2. Negative: a technique that involves removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease an undesirable behavior.

• The goal is to make the behavior less appealing and decrease the likelihood of it happening again.

• Most effective when it's applied consistently and right after the unwanted behavior.

• The subject is having something they like taken away.