Transcript Operant Conditioning

Operant
Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
• Operant behavior  Behavior
designed to operate in the
environment in a way that will gain
something desired or avoid
something unpleasant.
• This behavior is usually voluntary.
Edward Lee Thorndike
• Experiment Operant Learning with
Cats.
• Puzzle box for cats big enough to
move around but not big enough to
be comfortable.
CATS
• Hungry cats were placed one at a
time in the puzzle box, a bit of food
was placed just outside the cage.
To get the food the cat had to open
the latch on the cage.
• Thorndike timed how long it took
the cats to get out.
CATS
• The Lock was changed each
time.
• Each time the cat was placed in
the puzzle box it would
complete the puzzle faster and
faster.
Operant Conditioning
• Operant Response  Something we
choose
• Reinforcers  A stimulus that
follows a behavior and increases
the likelihood that the behavior will
be repeated.
• CATS = Freedom or Food
Operant Conditioning
• Punishers  A stimulus that follows a
behavior and decreases the likelihood
that the behavior will be repeated.
• Ex. Running barefoot step on a bee and
get stung.
• Law of effect  Thorndike’s theory
that behavior consistently rewarded will
be “stamped in” as learned behavior.
Types of Reinforcement
• Positive  Any event whose
presence increases the likelihood
that ongoing behavior will recur.
• Negative  Any event whose
reduction or termination increases
the likelihood that on going
behavior will recur.
Punishment
• Any event whose presence
decreases the likelihood that
ongoing behavior will recur.
• Ex. Fines for littering, rudely
answered.
Reinforcers
• Primary Reinforcer  Stimulus
such as food and water  a
necessity to life.
• Secondary Reinforcer 
Reinforcing power through
experience or anything that is not a
necessity.