**Reminder****Reminder**
An operant is a response that has some effect on the world. A reinforcer increases the probability that the operant preceding it will occur again; in other words, reinforcers strengthen behavior.
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Positive Reinforcers
Introduce (+) stimulus (e.g., award) |
Negative Reinforcers
Remove (-) stimulus (e.g., headache) |
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Reinforcers ALWAYS
strengthen behavior!
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There are two types of reinforcers: positive reinforcers, which strengthen a response if they are introduced after that response occurs, and negative reinforcers, which strengthen a response if they are removed after it occurs.
Escape conditioning results when behavior terminates a negative reinforcer.
Avoidance conditioning results when behavior prevents or avoids an aversive stimulus. (This reflects both classical and operant conditioning - remember taste aversion?)
| PUNISHMENT | Billy was sent to his room (unpleasant stimulus) | Billy had his favorite toy taken away. (removal of pleasant stimulus) |
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Punishment ALWAYS weakens behavior! |
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Punishment decreases the frequency of a behavior by following it either with an unpleasant stimulus or with the removal of a pleasant one.
Here are some examples of what we've gone over:
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Positive Reinforcement
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Behavior |
Presentation of a pleasant or positive stimulus |
Frequency of behavior increases |
| You put coins into a vending machine. | You receive a cold can of soda. | You put coins in vending machines in the future. |
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Negative Reinforcement
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Behavior |
Removal of an unpleasant stimulus |
Frequency of behavior increases |
| In the middle of a boring date, you say you have a headache. | The date ends early. | You use the same tactic on future boring dates. |
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Punishment I
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Behavior |
Introduction of an unpleasant stimulus |
Frequency of behavior decreases |
| You touch a hot iron. | Your hand is burned. | You no longer touch hot irons. |
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Punishment II
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Behavior |
Removal of a pleasant stimulus |
Frequency of behavior decreases |
| You're careless with your ice cream cone. | The ice cream falls on the ground. | You're not as careless with the next cone. |
That's it in a nutshell. Now let's practice! 
