Today I will write about operator conditioning. This helps us learn, but in a completely different way than classical conditioning.
So, what is operant conditioning?.
Operant conditioning is a type of learning process where voluntary behaviors are modified by association with the addition (or removal) of reward or aversive stimuli.
Basically, behaviour that is reinforced or rewarded is repeated and behaviour that is not reinforced/weakened tends to die out.
There are three types of behaviour responses:
- Neutral: A response that neither reinforces nor punishes.
- Reinforcer: A response that increases the likelihood of repeating a behavior. For example, a parent rewards a child for getting an A+ in his exam.
- Punishers: A response that decreases the likelihood of repetition of the behaviour. For example, a parent punishes a child for lying to them.
Now let us look at the experiment conducted by BF. Skinner on operant conditioning. The experiment is called the “Skinner Box”. Here’s what all it has:
- Lever (To activate the dispensing of food.)
- Food Dispenser (To dispense food.)
- Signal lights (To show if food has been dispensed)
- Electric grid (To shock the test subject.)
- Shock generator (To activate the shocking.)
It was all there along with a rat in the box. Operant conditioning was applied to the rat to see how it would learn or unlearn a certain behaviour.
Here are some of the things BF. Skinner did:
- Positive reinforcement: When a lever was pressed, a food pellet was dispensed. A hungry rat was also placed inside the box which scurried around until it accidentally pressed the lever getting a food pellet. The rat then started scurrying around again until it again pressed the lever, getting a food pellet. By doing this the rat discovered that pressing the lever gives a food pellet.
- Positive punishment: To unlearn the behaviour, BF. Skinner started generating shocks on the electrical grid on the floor every time the lever was pressed. This is called positive punishment.
- Negative reinforcement: A mild electric current could be passed on the electric grid on the floor and would only be removed when the rat presses the lever. This is Negative Reinforcement, where you remove an unpleasent situation when a certain behaviour is implemented.
- Negative Punishment: This is when a pleasent situatiion is removed when a certain behaviour is implemented. For example, in the Skinner’s Box, food pellets can be given at regular intervals and stopped when the rat presses the lever.
Now what are real life examples of operant conditioning?
- Classroom management:
- Positive reinforcement: A teacher gives a gold star to students who complete their homework on time. The gold star serves as a reward, encouraging students to continue submitting their homework punctually.
- Negative reinforcement: A teacher stops giving additional homework to students who consistently perform well in class. The removal of extra homework encourages students to maintain good performance.
- Workplace behavior:
- Positive reinforcement: An employee receives a bonus for exceeding their sales targets. The bonus motivates employees to continue working hard to meet or exceed future targets.
- Negative reinforcement: An employee is allowed to leave early if they complete their tasks ahead of schedule. The opportunity to leave early reinforces timely and efficient work.
- Parenting:
- Positive reinforcement: A child receives praise and a treat for cleaning their room. The positive feedback and reward encourage the child to keep their room tidy.
- Negative reinforcement: Parents stop nagging a child about their messy room when the child cleans it up. The removal of the nagging serves as a reinforcement for maintaining cleanliness.
Now this is operant conditioning. If you liked this blog, please check out my other blog posts as well. Thanks!