Behavior Operant Conditioning

How do we learn behavior?Learning: a relatively permanent change in behavior

brought about by experience.

One way we learn behavior is through classical conditioning: when a neutral stimulus (like a bell) brings about a reaction

that is not naturally related to that stimulus (like drooling) because the two have been

paired together and associated with each other in the brain.

1. Before Conditioning 2. Before Conditioning

3. During Conditioning 4. After Conditioning

Neutral Stimulus

No notable response.

Unconditioned Stimulus

Salivation(Unconditioned

Response)

Salivation(Unconditioned

Response)

Salivation(Conditioned

Response)

Conditioned Stimulus

The “Little Albert Experiment”In the 1920s, John B. Watson classically conditioned a

human baby to experience fear at the sight of white rats, and as a result of stimulus generalization, at the sight of

other small furry animals. He achieved this by loudly banging a hammer every time Albert touched the animal.

Operant ConditioningA method of learning that occurs through reinforcements

and punishments for behavior. We learn to perform certain behaviors more often because they result in

rewards, and learn to avoid other behaviors because they result in punishment or adverse consequences.

Operant Conditioning

Negative and positive experiences shape our future behavior choices, even if we

don’t realize it is happening.

Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning

Occurs when we associate something formerly neutral with

something that produces a natural reaction.

Example: Albert feels fear when he pets a rabbit because he associates

the rabbit with a painful noise.

Occurs when we make conscious choices to behave in a certain way based on the association of our behaviors

with positive or negative consequences.

Example: Emily hides from her grandma’s cat because the cat

usually bites her feet.

+ =

vs.

Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning

Looks Like:Natural bodily reactions &

emotions that we can’t control

Must involve a neutral stimulus becoming a conditioned stimulus!With classical conditioning, the

response always comes after the conditioned stimulus.

Looks Like:Behavioral choices that we

make: actions

Behavior is not associated with a conditioned stimulus. Behavior is based on past experiences that either encourage us to repeat a

certain behavior, or discourage us.

vs.

Sight of pills (neutral stimulus) +

Pill gives you a stomach ache

= Sight of pills becomes a conditioned stimulus that

makes you feel sick.

Operant ConditioningReinforcement: results that make us want to

repeat a behavior.

Punishment: results that make us NOT want to repeat a behavior again.

Studied hard?Good grades area reinforcement.

Didn’t study?Bad grades are a punishment.

Negative Reinforcement Reinforcement = Do it again!

Negative = Taking something (bad) away

Positive Reinforcement Reinforcement = Do it again!

Positive = Adding something (good)

Positive Punishment Punishment = Don’t do it again!

Positive = Adding something (bad)

Negative Punishment Punishment = Don’t do it again!

Negative = Taking something (good) away

“Positive”

Positive punishment and reinforcement are easier to remember. Positive does not mean “good” - it means something is added

to your environment.

“Negative”Negative punishment and reinforcement are more

challenging to understand because the term “negative reinforcement” is used outside of Psychology to mean the

opposite of “positive reinforcement.”

In Psychology, “negative” does not mean “bad”: it means something is removed from your environment. If something good is removed, it will make you sad and cause you to not

want to repeat the behavior that led to its removal. If something bad is removed, it will make you happy, causing

you to want to repeat the behavior.

The “Which Type of Operant Conditioning Is

It?” Game! Directions:

For each example, decide what behavior is being conditioned, or modified.

Next, decide the method being used: positive/negative reinforcement or

punishment.

The “Which Type of Operant Conditioning Is

It?” Game! If you write down all of your answers on a document and email them to me after the

game. (Number your document 1-12). If you get one wrong, you must type the correct answer next to your wrong one. If you do these things, you will get a piece of candy!

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

You use a shock collar on your dog when it jumps on people or barks

at them.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

Your boss removes all the coffee machines from the office until your team increases sales.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

You give your dog a treat for performing a

trick.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

Your mom says you can’t go on vacation with

your friends for spring break

because you got in trouble at

school.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

Your teacher scolds you when you forget to bring

your textbook to class.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

Your teacher gives out candy to students who participate the

most.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

You are stopped at a light and do not notice it has turned green yet. The car behind you blasts its car horn at you, and only stops when you begin to drive forward.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

You go to jail for drinking alcohol while

driving.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

Your boss posts a list of which employees have made the most and

fewest sales each month.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

(As a woman) whenever you wear

make-up, people give you more

attention.

Which type of operant conditioning is it?

Whenever your kid screams, cries, or

complains, you give them candy to make

them be quiet.

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