Operant Conditioning

Learning: Operant Conditioning

• Module 27

• Course: A.P. Psychology

• Instructor: Mr. Schabo

• School: Crestwood High School

Introduction to Operant Conditioning

• Quote from Craig Swanson:

  • "The light goes on. I pull the lever. The food comes. It's a full life."

• Explains the process of operant conditioning as a learning mechanism involving a lever press for rewards.

Classical vs. Operant Conditioning

• Classical Conditioning:

  • Can teach involuntary responses (e.g., salivation).

  • Involves reflex actions that do not result in complex voluntary actions.

• Operant Conditioning:

  • Involves teaching voluntary behaviors (e.g., sitting up, rolling over).

  • Comprised of responses that an organism can control willingly.

Key Concepts of Operant Conditioning

• Definition: Learning where the likelihood of a behavioral response is modified by its consequences.

  • Operant: Observable behavior that affects the environment.

• Behavioral Responses:

  • Strengthened by reinforcers and weakened by punishers.

B.F. Skinner and The Skinner Box

• B.F. Skinner (1904-1990):

  • Noted for contributions to behaviorism through experiments with rats.

  • Expanded on Edward Thorndike’s Law of Effect which describes behaviors changing according to consequences.

• Operant Chamber (Skinner Box):

  • A controlled environment where an animal’s responses (bar pressing) are recorded for reinforcement studies.

Reinforcement

• Definition: Condition where the presence/removal of a stimulus after a response increases the likelihood of that response occurring again.

• Types of Reinforcement:

  • Positive Reinforcement:

    • Includes presenting a stimulus after a response (e.g., money for grades).

  • Primary Reinforcement:

    • Naturally reinforcing stimuli (e.g., food, warmth).

  • Secondary Reinforcement:

    • Learned rewards associated with primary reinforcers (e.g., good grades).

• Negative Reinforcement:

  • Involves removing an aversive stimulus to make a behavior more likely (e.g., taking Advil to relieve a headache).

• Note: In reinforcement terminology, "positive" means adding a stimulus, while "negative" means removing a stimulus.

Punishment

• Definition: An averse stimulus that decreases the likelihood of a behavior repeating.

• Positive Punishment:

  • Something unpleasant follows a behavior (e.g., detention).

• Negative Punishment:

  • Removal of a desirable stimulus following a behavior (e.g., taking away a cell phone).

Reinforcement and Punishment Dynamics

• Reinforcement/Punishment Matrix:

  • Consequences categorized based on whether they add/take away stimuli and their effect on behavior.

• Reinforcement is preferred: Must be consistent; intermittent punishment can inadvertently reward negative behavior.

Challenges with Punishment

• Short-term Effects:

  • Immediate behavioral change but often ineffective long-term.

• Drawbacks:

  • Power fades when threat is withdrawn, can evoke aggression, inhibits learning, and can be inconsistently applied.

Effective Use of Punishment

• Guidelines:

  • Swift, certain, limited duration, behavior-targeted, avoid mixed messages.

  • Most effective when using negative punishment (omission training).

Reinforcement Schedules

• Continuous Reinforcement:

  • Every correct response is rewarded, crucial for shaping behavior.

  • Examples: Vending machines provide consistent rewards for correct action.

• Intermittent Reinforcement:

  • Some correct responses are rewarded, more effective for maintaining behavior.

Types of Intermittent Reinforcement

• Interval Schedule:

  • Rewards given after certain time intervals (e.g., Fixed Interval Schedule).

  • Example: Rats pressing levers after waiting for a time.

• Variable Interval Schedule:

  • Unpredictable amount of time for reinforcement (e.g., pop quizzes).

• Ratio Schedule:

  • Fixed Ratio Schedule rewards after a set number of responses (e.g., frequent shopper cards).

  • Variable Ratio Schedule rewards after an unpredictable number of responses (e.g., scratch-off lottery tickets).

Operant Conditioning vs. Classical Conditioning

• Behavior Control:

  • Classical involves stimuli preceding responses; operant involves consequences following responses.

  • Operant conditioning emphasizes the active role of the learner.

• Behavior Types:

  • Responses in classical conditioning are involuntary, whereas operant conditioning focuses on voluntary responses.