Lesson 9: Applications of Operant Conditioning

Reward and Punishment

From last lesson

The two types of reinforcement are distinguished as being either ‘positive’ or ‘negative’. What do the concepts ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ refer to within these terms?

The answer……..

Within these terms, ‘positive’ refers to the addition of something good, whereas ‘negative’ refers to the ‘removal’ of something bad

Shaping

Shaping – a strategy in which a reinforcer is given for any response that successively approximates and ultimately leads to the final desired response

Used to train behaviours that are unlikely to occur spontaneously

Token Economies

The consistent use of Operant conditioning to alter behaviour over time

Use of tokens as rewards that can be ‘cashed in’ for bigger rewards later

Schools Prisons

Punishment – Undesirable effects of punishment

Can effect the relationship – The punisher may be disliked, or stop speaking to the punisher

Punishment can be perceived as attention and have the opposite effect

Punishment does not teach desirable behaviour

Punishment – Maximising effectiveness

It should be presented immediately following this undesirable behavior.

Punishment should be aimed at behaviour and not personality

Once the punishment has started the punisher should not back down.

Should be combined with positive reinforcement