Overview
This lecture covers the key concepts of operant conditioning, contrasting it with classical conditioning, and explores reinforcement, punishment, shaping, and their effects on behavior.
Key Figures & Historical Context
- Pavlov is linked with classical conditioning; Thorndike and B.F. Skinner are associated with operant conditioning.
- Behaviorism dominated psychology in the mid-20th century, focusing on observable behaviors.
- Skinner emphasized learning through consequences and developed the operant chamber (Skinner box) to study animal behavior.
Principles of Operant Conditioning
- Operant conditioning is learning voluntary behavior through the effects of pleasant or unpleasant consequences.
- The principle of reinforcement: behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to be repeated.
- Reinforcement can increase the likelihood of a response; punishment aims to decrease it.
Types of Reinforcers
- Primary reinforcers satisfy biological needs (e.g., food, water, warmth).
- Secondary reinforcers acquire value through association with primary reinforcers (e.g., money, good grades, tokens).
Reinforcement in Practice
- Reinforcers are most effective when closely linked to desired behaviors.
- Examples: reward systems for chores, token economies in animal studies, and real-life applications with children.
Shaping Behavior
- Shaping uses successive approximations to guide behavior toward a desired goal.
- Operant chambers (Skinner boxes) automate data collection and reinforcement/punishment delivery.
Types of Reinforcement
- Positive reinforcement: adding a pleasurable stimulus to increase behavior (e.g., giving food for pressing a lever).
- Negative reinforcement: removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behavior (e.g., turning off a shock).
Escape vs. Avoidance Learning
- Escape learning: behavior removes an existing unpleasant stimulus.
- Avoidance learning: behavior prevents the unpleasant stimulus from occurring.
Types of Punishment
- Positive punishment: adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease behavior (e.g., spanking, tickets).
- Negative punishment: removing a pleasant stimulus to decrease behavior (e.g., timeout, taking away toys).
Effective Use of Punishment
- Most effective when immediate, mild, and consistent.
- Harsh or delayed punishment can lead to unwanted fears, aggression, or only temporary behavioral change.
Operant vs. Classical Conditioning
- Operant: voluntary responses, shaped by consequences, reinforcement is immediate and expected.
- Classical: involuntary responses, formed by associating stimuli, timing of stimuli is key.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Operant Conditioning — learning via consequences of behavior (rewards or punishments).
- Reinforcement — event that increases the probability of a behavior recurring.
- Punishment — event that decreases the probability of a behavior recurring.
- Primary Reinforcer — naturally satisfying biological needs.
- Secondary Reinforcer — learned value through association with primary reinforcers.
- Shaping — reinforcing successive steps toward a target behavior.
- Positive Reinforcement — adding a pleasant stimulus.
- Negative Reinforcement — removing an unpleasant stimulus.
- Positive Punishment — adding an unpleasant stimulus.
- Negative Punishment — removing a pleasant stimulus.
- Escape Learning — behavior removes an ongoing negative stimulus.
- Avoidance Learning — behavior prevents a negative stimulus from occurring.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review classical conditioning concepts if needed.
- Watch assigned classical conditioning videos if not already completed.
- Prepare for the next lecture on observational and latent learning.