Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

1. Trial & Error Learning

   • Experiments done by Thorndike. Claimed that if reward depended on the execution of the correct behaviour
     • THEN
       • that behaviour will serve as reinforcement for the repeating that behaviour.
   • The Law of Practise:
     • learning a response depends on how frequently and how recently the response has been associated with a particular stimulus
   • The Law of Effect
     • learning a response depends on the effect that using that response creates. If the effect is good or positive it will probably be repeated.

2. The Nature of Operant Conditioning: Terms & Procedures

   • Relevant terms include: respondent behaviour; operant behaviour;
   • Operant Behaviour
     • The acquisition of behaviour that enables organisms to control their environment so as to achieve certain goals or rewards.
       • 2 Phases
         • discovering the correct response through accidental success
         • Maininting the discovery through reinforcement

3. is the study of the relationship between behaviour and the environment.

   • it manipulates the environment in order to observe the influence of behaviour.
     • by manipulating the environment in which learning occurs we can control the type and strength of the learnt behaviour

4. Reinforcement & Operant Conditioning

   • Regarded as the cornerstone of the learning process.
     • Key Terms
       • Primary Reinforces: associated with primary drives like food
         • Secondary Reinforces: 1st associated with the primary reinforce but then on its own
           • Positive Reinforce: pleasant stimulus which follows a response; increases probability that response will be repeated.
             • Negative reinforces: unpleasant stimulus which increases probability of a response that will terminate that response.
               • Negative reinforcement: behaviour that terminates or avoids an unpleasant stimulus
                 • Punishment: an unpleasant stimulus used when an unacceptable response is made
                   • Reinforcement Schedule: procedures used to strengthen responses.

5. Operant Conditioning and Human Behaviour

   • .... is behaviour shaping by means of appropriate reinforces. Positive reinforces can be material (money gifts) or nature or symbolic (praise or smile)
     • more effective than punishment & criticism
       • used in behaviour & modification therapy