Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

-Nikunj Barnwal

Definition & Understanding • Operant behavior operates on the environment. • Operant conditioning is the use of consequences to modify the occurrence and form of behavior.

Core tools of operant conditioning • Reinforcement • Punishment

(Both are either positive or negative consequences.)

• Extinction

(no change in consequences)

•

Reinforcement is a consequence that causes a behavior to occur with greater frequency. •

•

Punishment is a consequence that causes a behavior to occur with less frequency.

Extinction is the lack of any consequence following a behavior.

Four contexts of operant conditioning: • Positive Reinforcement • Negative Reinforcement • Positive Punishment • Negative Punishment

Positive Reinforcment When a behavior is followed by a favorable stimulus (commonly seen as pleasant) that increases the frequency of that behavior.

Negative Reinforcement When a behavior (response) is followed by the removal of an aversive stimulus (commonly seen as unpleasant) thereby increasing that behavior's frequency.

Positive Punishment (How can a punishment be positive???)

Occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by an aversive stimulus thereby decreasing that behavior's frequency

Negative Punishment Occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by the removal of a favorable stimulus thereby decreasing that behavior's frequency

Extinction occurs when a behavior (response) that had previously been reinforced is no longer effective.

Stimulus

Frequency of behavior

+R

Given

Increases

-R

Taken away

Increases

+P

Given

Decreases

-P

Taken away

Decreases

E

--

Increases/Decreases