Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

-a process that attempts to modify behavior through the use of positive and negative reinforcement

Thorndike and the Law of Effect

Animal Intelligence: an experimental Study of the Associative Processes in Animals (1898)

* Placed hungry cats in “puzzle boxes” with food outside

* The cat could escape by pulling a loop or pressing a lever

The cats would engage in random behaviors to escape. Eventually the cat would do what it had to and escape. After several trials, the cat came out quickly.

Thorndike concluded that cats didn’t display human-like reasoning. He described it as “trial and error.” Successful behaviors became stamped in and the cat became more likely to repeat them. Unsuccessful behaviors were eventually eliminated.

Thorndike then proposed the “Law of Effect.” Responses that lead to satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated. The opposite is also true.

B.F. Skinner

- Behaviorist who believed psychologists should focus on observable behavior that could be objectively measured and verified.

-Formulated the principles of Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning: Reinforcement

* Reinforcement occurs when a stimulus (the reinforce) follows an active behavior or response

* The reinforce increases the probability that the behavior or response will be repeated

Positive Reinforcement

-A behavior or response is followed by the addition of a reinforcing stimulus

The stimulus increases the probability that the response will occur again

Skinner used positive like a plus sign to indicate that a response is strengthened because something is added

Negative Reinforcement

-A behavior or response is followed by the removal of an adverse stimulus

Negative doesn’t mean “Bad”. Skinner used negative like a minus sign to indicate that a response is strengthened due to something being taken away.

Negative reinforcement typically enables you to escape an aversive existing stimulus or avoid an aversive...