operant conditioning

operant conditioning

1. pioneered by Skinner - learning is result of an association being formed between behaviour and its consequences

   • law of effect states that behaviour which has a positive effect will be learned
     • e.g. if pressing lever delivers food to hungry rat - food is positive reinforcement and lever press likely to be repeated
     • behaviour that results in removal of something aversive e.g. pressing a lever stops electric shock is negatively reinforced so likely to be repeated
     • behaviour leading to aversive outcome or removal of something pleasant is punishment
       • Skinner believed punishment to be unethical and ineffective way of changing behaviour

2. behaviour can be shaped i.e. moved towards desired outcome by reinforcing successive approximations of what is required

   • Skinner sees learning as following processes similar to those in evolution but over persons lifespan - learning produces organism better adapted to environment

3. studies using Skinner box have established principles in animals

   • apply equally to humans - have been used successfully in behaviour modification programmes
     • e.g. reducing disrupting classroom behaviour, using reinforcers such as praise and plastic tokens later exchanged for what the individual finds reinforcing
       • effective in changing behaviour but critised for ignoring role of internal cognitive processes in behaviour change and for experiments divorced from natural environment