OPERANT

CONDITIONING
B.F. SKINNER

Was an American psychologist, behaviorist,

author, inventor, and social philosopher. He
was a professor of psychology at Harvard
University from 1958 until his retirement in
1971.
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.
Two principal terms influences
operant conditioning

reinforcement punishment
 REINFORCEMENT
are any event that strengthens or increases the behavior it follows.
POSITIVE
REINFORCEMENT
are favorable events or outcomes that are
presented after the behavior.

For example, if you do a good job at work

(reinforcement), your manager gives you a
bonus (positive stimulus).
NEGATIVE
REINFORCEMENT
Involve the removal of an unfavorable events
or outcomes after the display of a behavior.

For example, studying really hard

(reinforcement) to avoid getting failed in the
exams (negative stimulus).
 PUNISHMENT
is the presentation of an adverse event or outcome that causes a decrease
in the behavior it follows. Punishment weakens behaviour.
POSITIVE PUNISHMENT Sometimes referred to as punishment by
application

For example, you receive a speeding ticket

(positive stimulus), which decreases your
behavior of speeding (punishment).
NEGATIVE
PUNISHMENT

Also known as punishment by removal

For example, taking away a child's gadget

(punishment) because of low grades
(negative stimulus).