Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

1. B.F Skinner (1938)

   • Skinner Box (1948)
     • Rats press lever to receive a treat
     • Electric shock when rats didn't press level

2. Edward Thorndike (1911)

   • Cat puzzle box (1901)
     • Pull a string or press a pole to escape from the box

3. Example: Dog learns that he gets fuss when he stops jumping up at visitor who enters the room.

4. This theory is linked with positive and negative reinforcement and punishment

   • Positive Reinforcement: A dog given a treat for completing the desirable behaviour
   • Positive Punishment: A dog is hit for performing an undesirable behaviour so learns to not do it again
   • Negative Reinforcement: A dog has a choke lead loosened from his neck if he stops pulling on the lead so it encourages him to not pull in the future
   • Negative Punishment: A dog has his treat taken away from him for performing an undesirable act

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