Transcript Operant Conditioning 1

Operant
conditioning
Learning from our behavior’s
consequences
Operant
conditioning
How the consequences of our behavior
affects our future behavior
Edward Thorndike started this concept by
studying cats in “puzzle boxes”
He graphed how their learning progressed
over many trials to reveal the learning
curve
reinforcement
An event which increases the future
probability of the most recent response
First explored by Thorndike
Taken from another perspective, if the
delivery of something makes the action or
behavior which preceded it more likely to
occur, it is a reinforcer
A reinforcer “stamps in” a response
Thorndike labeled this “The Law of Effect”
We are more likely to repeat responses
that lead to (what we view as) favorable
consequences or outcomes
In operant conditioning, we change
behavior by following a desired
action/response with reinforcement
And the sooner, the better
We label it “operant” because the subject
operates on the environment to obtain
reinforcement
Cc contrast
Some call it instrumental conditioning
because the subject’s behavior is
instrumental in producing the outcome
Stark distinction from classical
conditioning when the subject’s behavior
was meaningless
Operant – subject acts with muscles
Classical – subject reacts through
internal organs
b. F. skinner
The “Father” of Operant Conditioning
Zealous advocate
Laid out theoretical framework
Used only the simplest of assumptions
Pioneered precise operational definitions
Invented The Skinner Box
Rats pressed levers, pigeons pecked Os
Setting the table
for desired
behaviors
How do we get the rat to pull the lever
in the first place?
Shaping – establishing a new
behavior by reinforcing successive
approximations to it
Shaping ii
Works with rats, pigeons, children,
everyone
Skinner’s lectures
Pigeon’s dropping bombs?
“Catch them while they’re being good”
Token economies
Reinforcement &
punishment
These two events drive operant
conditioning, and as a result, much of our
behavior
Reinforcement increases the odds that
the behavior which preceded it will reoccur
Punishment decreases the odds that the
behavior which preceded it will reoccur
Reinforcement can result from
removing pain or by helping us avoid
it
Going to the dentist
Taking Tylenol/aspirin
Finding an excuse not to ask her out
Settling the big trial
SUPERSTITIONS
We think that our good luck charm
prevents us from screwing up
Same with “pre-game” rituals
More punishment
Punishment can result from removing
pleasure
“If you do that one more time. I’ll …”
Fouls in a basketball game
Grounded!
Time-outs
Does reinforcement simply equal pleasure
or pain equal punishment?
No, reinforcement must increase the
frequency of the behavior.
And, punishment must decrease it.
Punishment iii
Very hard to administer successfully
Works best if it is:
1) consistent,
2) immediate,
3) moderate, and
4) alternatives are available.
Does torture work?
Spanking?