By: Rachel Watson, Nick Toro, Amber Hufstetler, Shandra Settlemyer

*Learning Theorists- B.F. SKINNER

*Operant Conditioning

*B.F. Skinner described the behavior theory of Operant Conditioning as: “Learning that is controlled and results in shaping behavior through the reinforcement of stimulus-response patterns.

*Learn the Terms!

*• Neutral operants: responses from the environment that neither increase nor decrease the probability of a behavior being repeated.

*• Reinforcers: Responses from the environment that increase the probability of a behavior being repeated. Reinforcers can be either positive or negative.

*• Punishers: Response from the environment that decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Punishment weakens behavior.

*There are two types of punishments

and reinforcemen

t

*Positive*Positive

*(something added)

*Positive Reinforcement:

*Something added increases behavior

*Positive Punishment

*Something added decreases behavior

*Negative

*Negative

*(something removed)

*Negative Reinforcement

*Something removed increases behavior

*Negative Punishment

*Something removed decreases behavior

*In other words…….

POSITIVE STIMULI ENCOURAGES

DESIRED BEHAVIOR!

AND NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

ENCOURAGES ONE TO STOP THAT

UNDESIRED BEHAVIOR

*What a teacher does under this

theory….*Teachers use positive and negative reinforcements all the time. For example, if a student does their homework then the teacher gives them credit (positive reinforcement). On the other hand, if a student does not do their homework then the teacher may not give them credit (negative reinforcement).

*Many softwares are now created to give back positive reinforcement messages when students do well, and negative reinforcements when students do not so well. Teachers can use these programs in class, or create their own reinforcement messages if they create something like a PowerPoint quiz.

*What a student does under this

theory….*Students will either be encouraged to keep

engaging in a behavior, such as turning in a project because they receive credit (positive reinforcement), or discouraged if they are given negative feedback or less credit.

*Receiving negative feedback on an educational computer game would discourage the student from doing poorly again. On the other hand, positive feedback or winning an educational game would encourage a student to keep up the good work.

*Thank you for watching!!!

*Credit

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Information Credit:http://www.learning-theories.com/operant-conditioning-skinner.html