William G. HuittEducational Psychology Interactive

Operant ConditioningPart III

Last rev: June 2012

Ivan Pavlov—Russian scientist trained in biology and medicine

Studied digestive system in dogs

Operant Conditioning

The study of the impact of consequences on voluntary behavior.

The addition and/or subtraction of consequences is done according to different schedules• Continuous• Intermittent

Continuous reinforcement – the target behavior is followed by a consequence each time it occurs.• Excellent for getting new behavior started that

you want to increase.• Behavior stops quickly when reinforcement

stops.

Schedules of Consequences

• The schedule of choice for decreasing behavior.

Intermittent schedules based on either• Passage of time

OR• Number of correct responses

Schedules of Consequences

Consequence can be delivered based on• A fixed amount of time or number of

correct responsesOR

• A slightly different amount of time or number of correct responses that vary around a particular number

Schedules of Consequences

This results in four classes of intermittent schedules.

Fixed Interval• consequence is given or removed when

the first target response is emitted after a set amount of time has passed.

• The time period required is always the same.

• Example: Spelling test every Friday.

Schedules of Consequences

Schedules of Consequences

Pattern of behavior for fixed interval schedule

This results in four classes of intermittent schedules.

Variable Interval• Consequence is given or removed when

the first target response is emitted after a set amount of time has passed.

• A time period is then set with the average equaling a specific number.

• Example: Pop quiz.

Schedules of Consequences

Schedules of Consequences

Pattern of behavior for variable interval schedule

This results in four classes of intermittent schedules.

Fixed Ratio• Consequence is given or removed when a

specified number of target responses have been emitted.

• A number of required target behaviors stays the same.

• Example: 10 math problems for homework.

Schedules of Consequences

Schedules of Consequences

Pattern of behavior for fixed interval schedule

This results in four classes of intermittent schedules.

Variable Ratio• Consequence is given or removed when a

specified number of target responses have been emitted.

• The number of required target behaviors changes around an average.

• Example: students raises hand to be called upon.

Schedules of Consequences

Schedules of Consequences

Pattern of behavior for fixed interval schedule

Learn more about applying concepts and principles of behavioral approach to modify behavior.

Operant Conditioning