Skinner - Operant Conditioning

Presentation

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By-Adesh Kumar VermaPh.D., ScholarRoll No.P-1639

Outline of Presentation

Introduction

Genesis of operant conditioning

Concept of operant conditioning

Types of operant

Schedules of Reinforcement

Shaping

How operant conditioning differs from Classical conditioning?

Summary

Introduction

Behaviorism

Conditioning

Types of conditioning

Classical conditioning

Operant conditioning

B. F. Skinner ?

Genesis of operant conditioning

Thorndike

Learning in animals

Puzzle box Propose the theory known as the 'Law of Effect‘.

Law of Effect – Reinforcement

Concept of operant conditioning

Given by- B.F. Skinner

Coined term operant conditioning

Means :- changing of behavior by the

use of reinforcement (which is given

after the desired response) and

punishment   (which is given after the

undesired response)

Types of operant

Skinner identified three types of responses or operant that can follow behavior

Neutral operants: responses from the environment that neither increase

nor decrease the probability of a behavior being repeated.

Reinforcers: Responses from the environment that increase the probability

of a behavior being repeated. Reinforcers can be either positive or negative.

Punishers: Response from the environment that decrease the likelihood of

a behavior being repeated. Punishment weakens behavior.

Graphical view of Behaviour by- using cumulative recorder

Schedules of Reinforcement

1. Continuous Reinforcement

2. Partial Reinforcement

Fixed-ratio schedules

Variable-ratio schedules

Fixed-interval schedules

Variable-interval schedules .

Choosing a Schedule

Shaping

Shaping is an experimental process used in operant conditioning by which successive approximations of a target behavior are reinforced.

B.F. Skinner used shaping, a method of training by which successive approximations toward a desired target behavior are reinforced, to test his theories of behavioral psychology.

The shaping method relies on the use of behavioral reinforcement and punishment, which lead subjects toward a desired behavior, and discourage them from displaying undesired behaviors.

Skinner’s early experiments in operant conditioning involved the shaping of rats to learn to how press a lever to receive a food reward.

How operant conditioning differs from Classical conditioning?

Developmental differences

Functional difference

Classical conditioning

Operant conditioning

Nature of response

Timing of Stimulus

Timing of Response

Role of learner

Voluntary (usually) but can be both – Vol &

Involuntary

After the desired response

ActivePassive

Precedes the response

Involuntary (reflexive)

After the stimulus

Before the stimulus

Operant Conditioning Summary

Psychology should be seen as a science, to be studied in a scientific manner.

Deals with observable behavior.

The major influence on human behavior is learning from our environment.

Skinner proposed that the way humans learn behavior is much the same as the way the rats learned to press a lever.

There is little difference between the learning that takes place in humans and that in other animals.