What Is Operant Conditioning?

What Is Operant Conditioning?

• Operant conditioning is a method of learning
that occurs through rewards and punishments
for behavior. Through operant conditioning,
an association is made between a behavior
and a consequence for that behavior.
Operant conditioning was
coined by behaviorist Burrhus
Frederic Skinner, who believed
that the organism, while going
about it's everyday activities, is
in the process of “operating”
on the environment. In the
course of its activities, the
organism encounters a special
kind of stimulus, called a
reinforcing stimulus, or simply a
reinforcer. This special stimulus
has the effect of increasing the
behavior occurring just before
the reinforcer.
At first the mouse would have just wondered
around in search for food and would have
accidentally pressed down on the lever whilst
exploring. It would then present him with food,
and the mouse would associate the pressing of
the lever with the presentation of food.
Then it'll know whenever it's hungry to press
that lever because of that conditioning it went
through.
• Skinner used the term operant to refer to any
"active behavior that operates upon the
environment to generate consequences"
Examples of Operant Conditioning
• children completing homework to earn a
reward from a parent or teacher
• employees finishing projects to receive praise
or promotions
• a child who lost recess privileges because he
talk out of turn in class
Components of Operant Conditioning
• Reinforcement – A kind of stimulus that aims
to increase the strength in behavior due to its
consequence
• Punishment - Any event that causes a
decrease in the behavior
 Types of Reinforcement
Positive Reinforcements
• are favorable events that are presented after
the behavior (Reward Learning)

Negative Reinforcement
• a response or behavior is strengthened by
stopping, removing or avoiding a negative
outcome or aversive stimulus (escape-avoidance
learning)
• Examples of positive reinforcement:
After executing the learning plan, the principal
said “Great job”.

A student answered all the items correctly in the

unit test. The teacher said “ you are exempted in
the periodic test”.
 Types of Positive Reinforcers
• Natural reinforcers are those that occur
directly as a result of the behavior. For
example, a girl studies hard, pays attention in
class and does her homework. As a result, she
gets excellent grades.
• Token reinforcers are points or tokens that are
awarded for performing certain actions. These
tokens can then be exchanged for something
of value.
• Social reinforcers involve
expressing approval of a
behavior,such as a teacher,
parent or employer saying
or writing"Good job" or
"Excellent work."
Tangible reinforcers
involve the
presentation
of an actual, physical
reward such as candy,
treats, toys, money and
other desired objects.