Operant Conditioning

'Behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences' - Skinner, 1938

Operant conditioning suggests that if a behaviour is rewarded, you are likely to repeat it; if it is punished, you are less likely to repeat it.

Key Terms

• Positive reinforcement - Making a behaviour more likely. When something desired is given in response to a desired behaviour, the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated is increased. A positive reinforcement may be a tangible reward, praise or an activity that the certain person enjoys.
• Negative reinforcement - Removal of something unpleasant. When something undesirable is taken away in response to a desired behaviour, increasing the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated.
• Punishment - When something undesirable occurs in response to an undesired behaviour, decreasing the likelihood of it being repeated.
• Primary reinforcers - Something used to satisfy basic survival and are innately satisying (eg food).
• Secondary reinforcers - Fulfilling because they are associated with a primary reinforcer (eg money).

Applications

• The creation of token economy programmes for prisoners or those with anorexia, as well as being used in other places. People are rewarded with a token which can be saved up and swapped for something they desire.
• In schools, children can be rewarded with a gold star (secondary…