Scribd
Upload
170 views1 page

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a method of learning that uses reinforcement and punishment to increase or decrease certain behaviors. There are four types of conditioning: positive reinforcement uses rewards to increase a behavior; negative reinforcement reduces undesired behavior by removing an adverse stimulus; positive punishment decreases a behavior by introducing an unpleasant consequence; and negative punishment reduces behavior by withdrawing a rewarding stimulus. Reinforcement is generally more effective than punishment for changing behavior in a positive way.

Uploaded by

Lyka Durian Lamoste
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
170 views1 page

Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a method of learning that uses reinforcement and punishment to increase or decrease certain behaviors. There are four types of conditioning: positive reinforcement uses rewards to increase a behavior; negative reinforcement reduces undesired behavior by removing an adverse stimulus; positive punishment decreases a behavior by introducing an unpleasant consequence; and negative punishment reduces behavior by withdrawing a rewarding stimulus. Reinforcement is generally more effective than punishment for changing behavior in a positive way.

Uploaded by

Lyka Durian Lamoste
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

OPERANT CONDITIONING

B.F. SKINNER

Reinforcement – to help increase the probability that a specific behavior will occur in the future by
delivering or removing a stimulus immediately after a behavior.

Punishment – a process by which a consequence immediately follows a behavior which decreases the
future frequency of that behavior.

Positive Reinforcement Positive Punishment


 Increased behavior  Decreased behavior
 Motivating stimulus to the person after  Presenting an aversive consequence after
the desired behavior is exhibited an undesired behavior is exhibited

 A mother gives her son praise (reinforcing  A child picks his nose during class
stimulus) for doing homework (behavior) (behavior) and the teacher reprimands him.
 The little boy receives 50.00 (reinforcing  A child touches a hot stove (behavior) and
stimulus) for every A he earns feels pain (aversive stimulus)
 A father gives his daughter candies  A person eats spoiled food (behavior) and
(reinforcing stimulus) for cleaning up her gets a bad taste in his/her mouth (aversive
room (behavior) stimulus)
 A student came in late (behavior), the
teacher let him/her stand at the back of the
room (aversive stimulus)

Negative Reinforcement Negative Punishment


 Increased behavior  Decreased behavior
 Removing or avoiding the negative  A reinforcing stimulus is removed after
consequence a particular undesired behavior is
exhibited
 Gina does the dishes (behavior) in order to
stop his mother’s nagging (aversive  A child kicks his classmate (behavior) and
stimulus) is removed from his/her favorite activity
 Natalie can get up from the dinner table (reinforcing stimulus removed)
and avoid her mother to get angry (aversive  A child yells out in the class (behavior),
stimulus) when she finishes eating the loses a token for good behavior on his/her
veggies on her plate (behavior) token board that could have later be cashed
 Joe presses a button (behavior) that turns in for a prize (reinforcing stimulus
off a loud alarm (aversive stimulus) removed)
 A child fights with her brother (behavior)
and has his favorite toy taken away
(reinforcing stimulus removed)

Note: Research shows that positive consequences are more powerful than negative consequences for
improving behavior. Therefore, it is highly suggested that these interventions be tried prior to negative
consequences.

You might also like