Operant

Conditioning

Merielle Czarina Fuentes

La Salle University – College of Nursing

Burrhus Frederic

SkinnerMarch 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990

American psychologist

One of the most influential behaviorists

Developed the theory of Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

States that people learn

their behavior from their

history or past experiences,

particularly those that were

repeatedly reinforced.

Principles of Operant

Conditioning

All behavior is learned.

Consequences result from

behavior – reward and

punishment

Behavior that is rewarded

with reinforcers tends to

recur.

Positive reinforcers that

follow a behavior increase

the likelihood that the

behavior will recur.

Negative reinforcers that

are removed after a

behavior increase the

likelihood that the behavior

will recur.

Continuous reinforcement

is the fastest way to

increase that behavior, but

the behavior will not last

long after the reward

ceases.

Behavior Modification

A method of attempting to

strengthen a desired

behavior or response by

reinforcement – either

positive or negative.

Positive

Negative

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