Operant Conditioning

• Operant conditioning focuses on the behaviour the animal/human makes and the consequence of that behaviour.
• The consequence is important- it determines whether a behaviour is repeated. We learn through reward and reinforcement (positive, negative and punishment).
• Consequence: Positive reinforcement

  Involves presenting something the organism likes which strengthens the behaviour.
• Consequence: Negative reinforcement

  Involves removing something the organism doesn't like which also strengthens the behaviour.
• Consequence: Punishment

  Involves presenting the organism with something it doesn't like which weakens the behaviour.
• Reinforcement (both negative and positive) increase the likelihood of repeated behaviour.
• Skinner researched operant conditioning using a rat and 'Skinner's Box'.
• Skinner's Box was a cage the rat could be placed in with a small lever, food dispenser and a floor which could be electrified.
• Every time the rat pressed the lever, a pellet was dispensed (positive reinforcement), the rats quickly learnt this.
• This suggested that positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of repeated behaviour.
• In another experiment, the rats were subjected to an electric current as they moved around. When the lever was pressed, it was switched off.
• This suggested that negative reinforcement has a similar effect on behavioural repetition to positive reinforcement.