<p> Learning Theories: Operant Conditioning (2Q2)</p><p>Operant Conditioning: learning from the consequences of behavior (operates on the environment)</p><p>BF Skinner is most closely associated with this system of rewards and punishments (known as Behaviorism)</p><p> Understanding the consequences that a person faced can explain behavior</p><p> Example: Loud, obnoxious people</p><p>Reinforcement: an event or stimulus that increases the chance a recent behavior will be repeated (two types: positive and negative). Dependent on:</p><p>Schedules of Reinforcement: The timing and frequency of reinforcement</p><p> Continuous Schedule: reinforces every time the desired behavior occurs</p><p> Partial Schedule: reinforcing behavior intermittently to make it more predictable and last longer</p><p> Four Basic Partial Schedules: Two based on time intervals, two based on number of responses o Fixed-Ratio Schedule: reinforcement depends on a fixed quantity of responses (rewarding in a pattern)</p><p>. Organism responds at high steady rate …</p><p>. Example: Grading on an assignment (cost vs. reward problem) o Variable-Ratio Schedule: number of responses required varies from one time to the next (rewarding at random)</p><p>. Organism responds at very high rate. Hard to extinguish. </p><p>. Example: Slot machines (“waiting game” problem) o Fixed-Interval Schedule: reinforces the first response after a fixed time has elapsed</p><p>. Slow, steady responding … gets faster near reinforcement time. </p><p>. Example: Unit or Chapter Tests (“after-response” problem) o Variable-Interval Schedule: the time at which reinforcement becomes available changes</p><p>. Slowest but steady responding … doesn’t vary much over time. . Example: Busy signal when calling someone (“desire” problem)</p><p>Primary Reinforcer: satisfies a basic, natural need, such as hunger, thirst etc.</p><p>Secondary Reinforcer: a conditioned reinforcer that was previously a neutral stimulus (what are some exa mples?)</p><p>Advertising Activity – how do “hidden persuaders” shape the feelings toward a product?</p><p>Stimuli associated with rewards or punishments often become signals for particular behavior</p><p>Aversive Control: unpleasant events or consequences are used to influence behavior. Two types: 1. Negative Reinforcement: Painful/unpleasant stimulus is removed or not applied in order to elicit behavior (stone in shoe example)</p><p> Escape Conditioning: Correct behavior causes an unpleasant event to stop (unpleasant food example)</p><p> Avoidance Conditioning: Correct behavior prevents unpleasant stimulus from being applied (pre-emptive removal) pa ge 35</p><p>2. Punishment: Unpleasant consequence is applied in order to decrease or eliminate undesired behavior</p><p> Can produce unwanted side effects such as rage, aggression and fear. </p><p> Legitimizes other unwanted behavior</p><p>What about the animals?</p>