B.F. Skinner’s Operant Conditioning

byMalyn C. Singson

T o p i c s - Definition of Behaviorism - Definition of Learning - Three (3) major types of Learning

- Definition of Operant Conditioning - Behaviorism Theory - B. F. Skinner - E. Thorndike “The Law of Effect Principle” - Diagram of Operant Conditioning - Types of Operant Conditioning

a. Learning by association or Classical Conditioning b. Learning by consequences or Operant Conditioning c. Learning through Observation or Modeling

a. Reinforcement b. Punishment

- Comparing Positive and Negative Reinforcement

- Basic Principles of Operant Conditioning

- Four (4) important Principles in Operant Conditioning

a. Primary Reinforcement b. Secondary Reinforcement

a. Principle of Immediacy b. Principle of Satiation/Deprivation c. Principle of Contingency d. Principle of Size

- Reinforcement Schedule/s

I. Behaviorism

- Is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment.- also known as Behavioral Psychology.

II. Learning

- acquiring new, or modifying and reinforcing, existing knowledge, behavior, skills, values or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information.

III. Three Major Types of Learning

Learning by association/Classical Conditioning

Learning by consequences/Operant Conditioning

Learning through modeling/Observational Learning

Components of

Conditioning

IV. Operant Conditioning

- is the type of learning in which behaviors are emitted to earn rewards or avoid punishment.

“ Instrumental Learning”

Example of Operant Example of Operant ConditioningConditioning

If you give If you give your child a treat your child a treat (reinforcer) afterafter she sits quietly at she sits quietly at the table (the the table (the desired response desired response or target or target behavior), she is behavior), she is likely to sit likely to sit quietly at the quietly at the table again next table again next time.time.

V. Behaviorism Theory:

Primary Focus - Observable behavior - Stimulus-response

connections Assumptions - Learning is a result of

environmental forces Major Theorists - Pavlov - Watson - Thorndike - Skinner

VI. Burrhus Frederic (B. F.) Skinner (March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990)

American psychologist, behaviorist, inventor, author and social philosopher. He was the Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard University from 1958 1974.

Inventions of BF Skinner

AircribProject Pigeon

Operant Chamber/Skinners box

Cumulative recorder

Edward Thorndike

“THE LAW OF EFFECT

PRINCIPLE “ (Rewarded behavior)

VII.

1. If particular behavior is powered by desirable consequences or reward it is more likely to happen again. Behavior has a better way to reinforced.

The LAW OF EFFECT PRINCIPLE

2. If particular behavior is

followed by an undesirable

consequences or punishment that behavior

is likely to happen again in

the future.

VIII. Diagram of Operant Conditioning

Reinforcement + Behavior

Punishment- Behavior

POSITIVEADD Appetative

stimulus following correct behavior

Escape Remove

unpleasant stimuli following correct

behavior

NEGATIVEPOSITIVE

ADD Unpleasant Stimuli following

behavior

NEGATIVEREMOVE

Appetite stimulus following behavior

Active Avoidance Behavior avoids noxious stimulus following correct

behavior

Operant Conditioning

Turning off an alarm clock the push button to stop

Studying to avoid getting a bad grades

Giving a food when the dog sits. Spanking a child for cursing

Telling a child to go to his room for fighting her sister

1. Reinforcement - is something that happens after a behavior or event that strengthens or increases behavior likely to occur again.

1.a. Positive reinforcement (reward/praise) are favorable events or outcomes that are presented after the behavior. A behavior is strengthened by the addition of something.

Giving a child a compliment for a job well done.

IX. Components of Operant Conditioning

Components of Operant Conditioning

2.b Negative reinforcement (removal) In these situations, a response is strengthened by the removal of something considered unpleasant. (e.g. headache –by taking aspirin headache gone)

By taking aspirin headache takes away the pain)

PROCESS OPERANT CONDITIONING

EFFECT ON BEHAVIOR

Positive Reinforcement

Studying to make Dean’s

list

Make Dean’s list

Increase studying in the future

Negative Reinforcement

Studying to avoid losing

academic scholarship

Avoid loss of academic

scholarship

Increase studying in the future

X. Comparing Positive and Negative Reinforcement

Types of Operant Conditioning

2. Punishment

2.a. Positive punishment (treat) referred to as punishment by application, involves the presentation of unfavorable event or outcome in order to weaken the response it follows.

is the presentation of an adverse event or outcome that causes a decrease in the behavior it follows.

Burning your hand when you touch a hot stove

2.b. Negative punishment (taking away annoying/painful) known as punishment by removal, occurs when an favorable event or outcome is removed after behavior occurs.

Types of Operant Conditioning

Teen is grounded for misbehavior

XI. Basic Principles of Operant Conditioning Primary Reinforcers:

known without being learned. Biological needs (e.g. food, water)

Secondary Reinforcers: learnedlearned value. Conditioned reinforcement (e.g. money, praise)

- are the precise rules that are used to present (or to remove) reinforcers (or punishers) following a specified operant behavior. These rules are defined in terms of the time and/or the number of responses required in order to present (or to remove) a reinforcer (or a punisher).

XII. Reinforcement Schedules

Reinforcing the desired response every time it occurs.

Reinforcement Schedules

Continuous

Partial

Fixed ratio

Variable ratio

Fixed interval

Variable interval

Reinforced through single time it occurs. Best used during initial stages

to create strong association between

behavior and response.

Reinforced through only part of the time. Learned behavior are

acquired more slowly.

XIII. Four Important XIII. Four Important Principles Principles in Operant in Operant ConditioningConditioning 1.1. Principle of ImmediacyPrinciple of Immediacy

2.2. Principle of SatiationPrinciple of Satiation

3.3. Principle of ContingencyPrinciple of Contingency

4.4. Principle of SizePrinciple of Size

Four Important Principles Four Important Principles in Operant Conditioning in Operant Conditioning

1. Principle of Immediacy1. Principle of Immediacy

- is behavior that brings the instructor and the students closer together in terms of perceived distance. Non-verbal immediacy includes behaviors such as smiling, gesturing, moves around the class while teaching and having relaxed body language. Verbal immediacy refers to calling on by the students or asks students how they feel about things.

2. Principle of 2. Principle of Deprivation/SatiationDeprivation/Satiation

Four Important Principles Four Important Principles in Operant Conditioning in Operant Conditioning

Deprivation : Not having access to Deprivation : Not having access to something that is highly desirable. something that is highly desirable.

Satiation - is the opposite of Satiation - is the opposite of deprivation; refers to having too much. deprivation; refers to having too much.

3. Principle of Contingency3. Principle of Contingency

Four Important Principles Four Important Principles in Operant Conditioning in Operant Conditioning

- a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.

4. Principle of Size4. Principle of Size- - The cost-benefit" determinant of The cost-benefit" determinant of whether a consequence will be whether a consequence will be effective. effective. If the size, or amount, of the If the size, or amount, of the consequence is large enough to be consequence is large enough to be worth the effort, the consequence will worth the effort, the consequence will be more effective upon the behavior.be more effective upon the behavior.

Key Concept of Operant Conditioning

Shaping:

- is a process of reinforcing a series of

responses that increasingly

resemble the desired behavior.

Major Principle

Application

Repetition and consistency are essential to obtaining desired behavior and increasing speed of learning. One’s habit can be broken if the positive reinforcement that is connected to the behavior is removed. Retention of what was learned be obtained through intermittent reinforcement.

A teacher providing clear and direct instruction with sub tasks supporting learning objectives are more apt to obtain the desired results. Regardless your beliefs, behavior has played an important role in education and psychological history.