Operant conditioning is a theory of learning that focuses on how environmental interactions influence behavior. B.F. Skinner developed operant conditioning which explains that behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on consequences. There are four principles of operant conditioning: immediacy of consequences, deprivation and satiation, contingency between behavior and consequence, and effectiveness being determined by size of consequence. Reinforcement and punishment are used to shape behaviors through positive or negative consequences.

1. B.F. Skinner’s
Operant Conditioning
by
Malyn C. Singson

2. T o p i c s
- Definition of Behaviorism
- Definition of Learning
- Three (3) major types of Learning
- Definition of Operant Conditioning
- Behaviorism Theory
- B. F. Skinner
- E. Thorndike “The Law of Effect Principle”
- Diagram of Operant Conditioning
- Types of Operant Conditioning
a. Learning by association or Classical Conditioning
b. Learning by consequences or Operant Conditioning
c. Learning through Observation or Modeling
a. Reinforcement
b. Punishment
- Comparing Positive and Negative Reinforcement

3. - Basic Principles of Operant Conditioning
- Four (4) important Principles in Operant Conditioning
a. Primary Reinforcement
b. Secondary Reinforcement
a. Principle of Immediacy
b. Principle of Satiation/Deprivation
c. Principle of Contingency
d. Principle of Size
- Reinforcement Schedule/s

4. I. Behaviorism
- Is a theory of learning based upon the
idea that all behaviors are acquired
through conditioning. Conditioning
occurs through interaction with the
environment.
- also known as Behavioral Psychology.

5. II. Learning
- acquiring new, or modifying and
reinforcing, existing knowledge,
behavior, skills, values or preferences
and may involve synthesizing different
types of information.

6. III. Three Major Types of Learning
Learning by association/
Classical Conditioning
Learning by consequences/
Operant Conditioning
Learning through modeling/
Observational Learning
Components
of
Conditioning

7. IV. Operant Conditioning
- is the type of
learning in which
behaviors are
emitted to earn
rewards or avoid
punishment.
“ Instrumental Learning”

8. Example of Operant ConditioningExample of Operant Conditioning
If you give yourIf you give your
child a treatchild a treat
(reinforcer) afterafter sheshe
sits quietly at the tablesits quietly at the table
(the desired response(the desired response
or target behavior), sheor target behavior), she
is likely to sit quietly atis likely to sit quietly at
the table again nextthe table again next
time.time.

9. V. Behaviorism Theory:
 Primary Focus
- Observable behavior
- Stimulus-response connections
 Assumptions
- Learning is a result of environmental forces
 Major Theorists
- Pavlov
- Watson
- Thorndike
- Skinner

10. VI. Burrhus Frederic (B. F.) Skinner
(March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990)
 American psychologist,
behaviorist, inventor, author
and social philosopher.
 He was the Edgar Pierce
Professor of Psychology at
Harvard University from
1958 1974.

11. Inventions of BF Skinner
Aircrib
Project
Pigeon
Operant
Chamber/
Skinners box
Cumulative
recorder

12. Edward
Thorndike
“THE LAW OF
EFFECT
PRINCIPLE “
(Rewarded behavior)
VII.

13. 1. If particular behavior is
powered by desirable
consequences or reward it
is more likely to happen
again. Behavior has a better
way to reinforced.
The LAW OF EFFECT PRINCIPLE
2. If particular behavior is
followed by an undesirable
consequences or
punishment that behavior
is likely to happen again in
the future.

14. VIII. Diagram of Operant Conditioning
Reinforcement
+ Behavior
Punishment
- Behavior
POSITIVE
ADD Appetative
stimulus following
correct behavior
Escape
Remove
unpleasant stimuli
following correct
behavior
NEGATIVE
POSITIVE
ADD Unpleasant
Stimuli following
behavior
NEGATIVE
REMOVE
Appetite stimulus
following behavior
Active Avoidance
Behavior avoids
noxious stimulus
following correct
behavior
Operant Conditioning
Turning off an alarm clock the push
button to stop
Studying to avoid getting a bad grades
Giving a food when the dog sits. Spanking a child for cursing
Telling a child to go to his room
for fighting her sister

15. 1. Reinforcement
- is something that happens after a behavior or event that
strengthens or increases behavior likely to occur again.
1.a. Positive reinforcement
(reward/praise) are
favorable events or outcomes
that are presented after the
behavior. A behavior is
strengthened by the addition
of something.
Giving a child a compliment for a job well done.
IX. Components of Operant Conditioning

16. Components of Operant Conditioning
2.b Negative reinforcement
(removal) In these situations,
a response is strengthened by
the removal of something
considered unpleasant. (e.g.
headache –by taking aspirin
headache gone)
By taking aspirin headache takes
away the pain)

17. PROCESS OPERANT CONDITIONING EFFECT ON
BEHAVIOR
Positive
Reinforcement
Studying to make
Dean’s list
Make Dean’s list Increase studying
in the future
Negative
Reinforcement
Studying to avoid
losing academic
scholarship
Avoid loss of
academic
scholarship
Increase studying
in the future
X. Comparing Positive and
Negative Reinforcement

18. Types of Operant Conditioning
2. Punishment
2.a. Positive punishment
(treat) referred to as
punishment by application,
involves the presentation of
unfavorable event or
outcome in order to weaken
the response it follows.
 is the presentation of an adverse event or outcome
that causes a decrease in the behavior it follows.
Burning your hand when you
touch a hot stove

19. 2.b. Negative punishment
(taking away
annoying/painful) known
as punishment by removal,
occurs when an favorable
event or outcome is
removed after behavior
occurs.
Types of Operant Conditioning
Teen is grounded for
misbehavior

20. XI. Basic Principles of Operant Conditioning
 Primary Reinforcers:
known without being
learned. Biological needs
(e.g. food, water)
 Secondary Reinforcers:
learnedlearned value. Conditioned
reinforcement (e.g. money, praise)

22. - are the precise rules that are used to present (or to
remove) reinforcers (or punishers) following a
specified operant behavior. These rules are defined
in terms of the time and/or the number of
responses required in order to present (or to
remove) a reinforcer (or a punisher).
XII. Reinforcement Schedules
 Reinforcing the desired response every time it
occurs.

23. Reinforcement Schedules
Continuous
Partial
Fixed
ratio
Variable
ratio
Fixed
interval
Variable
interval
Reinforced
through single time
it occurs. Best used
during initial stages
to create strong
association between
behavior and
response.
Reinforced through
only part of the time.
Learned behavior are
acquired more
slowly.

24. XIII. Four Important PrinciplesXIII. Four Important Principles
in Operant Conditioningin Operant Conditioning
1.1. Principle of ImmediacyPrinciple of Immediacy
2.2. Principle of SatiationPrinciple of Satiation
3.3. Principle of ContingencyPrinciple of Contingency
4.4. Principle of SizePrinciple of Size

25. Four Important PrinciplesFour Important Principles
in Operant Conditioningin Operant Conditioning
1. Principle of Immediacy1. Principle of Immediacy
- is behavior that brings the instructor and the
students closer together in terms of perceived distance.
 Non-verbal immediacy includes
behaviors such as smiling, gesturing,
moves around the class while teaching
and having relaxed body language.
 Verbal immediacy refers to calling on by
the students or asks students how they
feel about things.

26. 2. Principle of Deprivation/Satiation2. Principle of Deprivation/Satiation
Four Important PrinciplesFour Important Principles
in Operant Conditioningin Operant Conditioning
 Deprivation : Not having access to something that isDeprivation : Not having access to something that is
highly desirable.highly desirable.
 Satiation - is the opposite of deprivation; refers toSatiation - is the opposite of deprivation; refers to
having too much.having too much.

27. 3. Principle of Contingency3. Principle of Contingency
Four Important PrinciplesFour Important Principles
in Operant Conditioningin Operant Conditioning
- a future event or circumstance that is possible but
cannot be predicted with certainty.
4. Principle of Size4. Principle of Size
-- The cost-benefit" determinant of whether aThe cost-benefit" determinant of whether a
consequence will be effective.consequence will be effective.
If the size, or amount, of the consequence is largeIf the size, or amount, of the consequence is large
enough to be worth the effort, the consequence willenough to be worth the effort, the consequence will
be more effective upon the behavior.be more effective upon the behavior.

28. Key Concept of Operant Conditioning
 Shaping:
- is a process of
reinforcing a series of
responses that
increasingly
resemble the desired
behavior.

29. Major Principle
Application
Repetition and consistency are essential to obtaining
desired behavior and increasing speed of learning. One’s
habit can be broken if the positive reinforcement that is
connected to the behavior is removed. Retention of what
was learned be obtained through intermittent
reinforcement.
A teacher providing clear and direct instruction with sub tasks
supporting learning objectives are more apt to obtain the
desired results. Regardless your beliefs, behavior has played
an important role in education and psychological history.