1. Skinner - Operant Conditioning
Presentation
On
By-
Adesh Kumar Verma
Ph.D., Scholar
Roll No.P-1639

2. Outline of Presentation
Introduction
Genesis of operant conditioning
Concept of operant conditioning
Types of operant
Schedules of Reinforcement
Shaping
How operant conditioning differs from Classical
conditioning?
Summary

3. Introduction
Behaviorism
Conditioning
Types of conditioning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
B. F. Skinner ?

4. Genesis of operant conditioning
Thorndike
Learning in animals
Puzzle box
Propose the theory known
as the 'Law of Effect‘.
Law of Effect –
Reinforcement

5. Concept of operant conditioning
Given by- B.F. Skinner
Coined term operant conditioning
Means :- changing of behavior by the
use of reinforcement (which is given
after the desired response) and
punishment (which is given after the
undesired response)

6. Types of operant
Skinner identified three types of responses or operant that can follow behavior
Neutral operants: responses from the environment that neither increase
nor decrease the probability of a behavior being repeated.
Reinforcers: Responses from the environment that increase the probability
of a behavior being repeated. Reinforcers can be either positive or negative.
Punishers: Response from the environment that decrease the likelihood of
a behavior being repeated. Punishment weakens behavior.

9. Graphical view of Behaviour by- using cumulative recorder

10. Schedules of Reinforcement
1. Continuous Reinforcement
2. Partial Reinforcement
Fixed-ratio schedules
Variable-ratio schedules
Fixed-interval schedules
Variable-interval schedules .
Choosing a Schedule

11. Shaping
Shaping is an experimental process used in operant conditioning
by which successive approximations of a target behavior are
reinforced.
B.F. Skinner used shaping, a method of training by which
successive approximations toward a desired target behavior are
reinforced, to test his theories of behavioral psychology.
The shaping method relies on the use of behavioral reinforcement
and punishment, which lead subjects toward a desired behavior, and
discourage them from displaying undesired behaviors.
Skinner’s early experiments in operant conditioning involved
the shaping of rats to learn to how press a lever to receive a food
reward.

12. How operant conditioning differs from Classical
conditioning?
Developmental differences

13. Functional difference
Classical
conditioning
Operant
conditioning
Nature of
response
Timing of
Stimulus
Timing of
Response
Role of learner
Voluntary (usually) but
can be both – Vol &
Involuntary
After the desired
response
ActivePassive
Precedes the
response
Involuntary
(reflexive)
After the
stimulus
Before the
stimulus

14. Operant Conditioning Summary
Psychology should be seen as a science, to be studied in a scientific
manner.
Deals with observable behavior.
The major influence on human behavior is learning from our environment.
Skinner proposed that the way humans learn behavior is much the same
as the way the rats learned to press a lever.
There is little difference between the learning that takes place in humans
and that in other animals.