Transcript Power Point Lecture - Minnesota State University Moorhead

Operant Conditioning
Behaviorism &
B.F. Skinner
B.F. Skinner
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University of Minnesota faculty
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Uninspired by Classical Conditioning
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Much to narrow a focus
Pairing is not acquisition of new knowledge
Inspired by pigeons outside his office
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“Law of Effect”
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Outcomes effect future behavior
Many experiments with pigeons
May be the most influential Psychologist on
American Education
Behaviorism
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Traditions of Research in Higher Education
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Newton – “I stood on the shoulders of giants.”
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Take existing research farther
Psychoanalytic research in the 30’s
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Research going too far out on a limb,
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Little practical use
Trying to access your own subconscious
Behaviorism is a response to esoteric
Psychoanalysis
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The pendulum swings back to the complete other side
Behaviorism
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Research is based on scientific principles.
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Only observable data should be collected
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Count the number of occurrences of an action
Count the duration of an action
Count the magnitude of an action
Make no assumptions as to the internal state of a
subject
“Learning is a conscious change in behavior”
Research is reproducible & reliable
Operant Conditioning
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Skinner’s learning model (ABC)
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Operant-Voluntary Action
Antecedent – Behavior – Consequences
(Environment-Action-Results)
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Candy isle in the supermarket
Antecedents are still important
Skinner focused on the consequences
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Only two types of consequences are possible
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Paid or Penalized.
Operant Conditioning
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Types of Consequences
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Reinforcement
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Increases behavior
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Positive Reinforcement (Mathematical interpretation)
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Likelihood of occurrence, magnitude, or duration
Addition of a reward
A jelly bean, dinosaur sticker, etc.
Negative Reinforcement (Mathematical interpretation)
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Subtraction of an annoyance
Excused from a final examination if all quizzes are “A’s”
Operant Conditioning
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Types of consequences (cont.)
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Punishment
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Decreases behavior
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Presentation Punishment
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Addition of an annoyance (aversive)
Spanking, verbal reprimand, etc.
Removal Punishment
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Likelihood of occurrence, magnitude, or duration
Subtraction of a privilege
Stay in from recess
Overhead Matrix
Reinforcement Schedules
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Continuous- Each occasion gets rewarded
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Fixed Interval - Set period of time between rewards
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Check homework 3 time per semester
Fixed Ratio – Reward after set number of behaviors
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Check journals once per week
Variable Interval–No set time period between rewards
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Jelly bean every time you raise your hand to speak
Every 5 journal entries come show them to me
Variable Ratio – Randomly reward behavior, no system
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Maybe a sticker this time and maybe not.
Behaviorism Techniques
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Standing orders
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Be systematic
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Be specific
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Have a behavior plan
Implement consistently
Name the behavior you want to see again
“Catch them being good”
Be sincere
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Punish or Praise for the student’s good not yours
No venting on students
Behaviorism Techniques
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Methods of Reinforcement
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Teacher Attention
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Premack Principle
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Verbal Praise
Gestures
Touching?
With-hold a desired activity until a less desired activity
is finished adequately
Positive Practice
Behaviorism Techniques
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Methods of punishment
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Satiation
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Verbal Reprimands
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Time out
Peer-Pressure
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Gentle art of corrections
Quiet, Direct, never say “Or else…”
Social Isolation
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Wear out the bad behavior by having them repeat it
Punish group for sins of one person
Response-Cost
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Gradually increasing severity of the punishment with every
occurrence