Operant conditiong

A type of learning in which the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated in the future depends on whether it produced a positive of negative consequence

• Positive: Giving a positive consequence for a behaviour to strengthen that behaviour
• Negative: Taking away an unpleasant stimulus which in turn strengthens the behaviour

• Negative: Taking away a valued stimulus reducing the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated
• Positive: Giving a negative consequence which reduces the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated to avoid the

Reinforcing every correct behaviour

• Fixed ratio: giving a reinforcer after a specified number of time the behaviour has been executed
• Variable ratio: reinforcing the behaviour after an unpredictable number of correct responses

• Fixed interval: Reinforcing the behaviour after a specified time period. eg. being payed every 2 weeks
• Variable interval: Reinforcing the behaviour in varying periods

• Most resistant: variable ratio as it is unpredictable
• Least resistant: fixed interval

• Order of presentation: the consequence must occur after the response so the organism associates the consequence with the behaviour
• Timing: the consequence must occur close in time to the desired response as possible.
• Appropriateness of the consequence: a reinforcer must provide a pleasant consequence; a punisher must cause an unpleasant stimulus

Occurs when the correct response is made to another stimulus which is similar to the stimulus for which reinforcement is obtained

when the organism produces the response to a stimulus for which the reinforcement is obtained only but not for any other similar stimulus

When the organism no longer produces the desired response to a stimulus after a period of the behaviour occuring but not being reinforced

When the desired response is shown after extinction after a rest period of time of no stimulus or reinforcement

A procedure in which a reinforcer is given for any response that gets closer and closer and eventually leads to the desired response or target behaviour

• A consistent use of operant conditiong to alter behaviour over time by using tokens as rewards that can be 'cashed in' for bigger rewards later
• eg. Stimulus: A question in class
• Behaviour: answering question
• Consequence: token

Active: the behaviour must be initiated by the learner

It is voluntary: the learner is in control of the behaviour

By reinforcing desired response