Chapter 7 (C): Operant Conditioning A.P. Psychology

Do-Now: (Discussion) Describe the following phenomena of Classical Conditioning: Generalization Discrimination Extinction Spontaneous Recovery Learned Helplessness What is Operant Conditioning and how does it differ from Classical Conditioning?

Classical Vs. Operant Conditioning Classical Conditioning forms associations between stimuli (CS and US) Respondent Behavior Operant conditioning forms an association between behaviors and the resulting events. Operant Behavior

Operant Conditioning Operant Conditioning: A type of learning in which behavior is strengthened if followed by a reinforcer or diminished by a punisher

Skinner’s Experiments B.F. Skinner’s experiments extend Edward Thorndike’s thinking, especially his law of effect. This law states that rewarded behavior is likely to occur again.

Operant Chamber Using Thorndike's law of effect as a starting point, Skinner developed the operant chamber, or the “Skinner Box,” to study operant conditioning.

Operant Chamber The Operant Chamber, or “Skinner Box,” comes with a bar or key that an animal manipulates to obtain a reinforcer like food or water. The bar or key is connected to devices that record the animal’s response.

Shaping Shaping is the operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior towards the desired target behavior through successive approximations. A rat shaped to sniff mines. A manatee shaped to discriminate objects of different shapes, colors and sizes.

Types of Reinforcers Reinforcer: Any event that strengthens (reinforces) the behavior it follows A reinforcement is a reward

Types of Reinforcers

Types of Reinforcers Primary Reinforcer: An innately reinforcing stimulus Often satisfies a biological need E.g. Pizza Secondary/Conditioned Reinforcer: A stimulus that gains its reinforcing power through its association with a primary reinforcer E.g. Money

Types of Reinforcers If a teacher wanted to reinforce students arriving to class on time, how could he or she employ the following types of reinforcers: Positive/Primary Positive/Secondary Negative/Primary Negative/Secondary

Schedules of Reinforcement Terms to consider: Fixed: Set/Pre-determined Variable: Changeable/Unpredictable Ratio: Number of times Interval: Amount of time intervals

Schedules of Reinforcement Fixed-Ratio: Reinforces a response only after a specified number of responses E.g. Buy 10 coffees, get one free Variable-Ratio: Reinforces response after an unpredictable number of responses E.g. Slot machines

Schedules of Reinforcement Fixed-Interval: Reinforces a response only after a specified time has elapsed E.g. Weekly pay checks Variable-Interval: Reinforces a response at unpredictable time intervals E.g. Pop quizzes

Schedules of Reinforcement Provide an example of each of the following schedules of reinforcement: Fixed-Ratio Variable-Ratio Fixed-Interval Variable-Interval Which one do you think is least effective? Which one do you think is most effective? Which one do you think is most addictive?

Schedules of Reinforcement

Punishment

If not, what other alternatives do you support? Punishment Do you feel that punishment is effective, and under what types of circumstances? If not, what other alternatives do you support?

Punishment Effects of Punishment on Behavior: Punished behavior is suppressed, not forgotten Punishment does not teach appropriate behavior Punishment causes unwanted behaviors to reappear in its absence Punishment can teach fear Justifies pain to others Physical punishment may increase aggressiveness by modeling aggression as a way to cope with problems

Review What is Operant Conditioning? Describe the following types of reinforcement: Positive Negative Primary Secondary (Conditioned) Describe the following schedules of reinforcement: Fixed-Ratio Variable-Ratio Fixed-Interval Variable-Interval What are some ways that punishment affects behavior?

Homework Research Study # 10: “Little Emotional Albert” (Pgs. 72-78)