Operant Conditioning

Modified: 2024-07-02 12:24 AM CDST

• The paradigm for operant conditioning is:
  • S^D-->R-->S^R
  • where and S^D is a discriminative stimulus, R is a response, and S^R is a reinforcer.
• In operant conditioning, an animal must first make a response. Notice, that is not the case in classical conditioning.
  • That response is usually preceded by a discriminative stimulus, and sometimes followed by a reinforcer.
• Operant conditioning occurs when the association of response and reinforcer causes the animal to make the response again later in a similar situation.
  • The discriminative stimulus signals the animal that a response at a given time is likely to be reinforced.
  • The response MUST be made, for without it, the reinforcement will not occur.
  • Finally, the reinforcer has the property of making the response that precedes it more likely to recur.
• Example: Think of a traffic light.
  • It's a complex discriminative stimulus.
  • Green means go.
  • Red means stop.
• Example: Imagine that you are in a future classroom and a green light appears on your console.
  • Were you to raise your hand and ask a question, you would get a $20 bill.
  • If you never raise your hand then no money.
  • But, if you do raise your hand and get the money you'll probably raise your hand again.
• But, when you raise your hand when the green light is not on, nothing happens, no $20 bill.
  • Soon, the green light comes on, you raise your hand and the money is dispensed.
  • Now, that green light has become a discriminative stimulus.
  • If it is on AND you raise your hand you'll get the money.
  • If it is off and you raise your hand nothing happens.
  • What do you think you'll do when that green light appears?
• The apparatus used to study operant conditioning removes many distractors.
  • An animal in an operant chamber will eventually direct its attention to the manipulandum (e.g., the lever or key) that activates the reinforcer.
  • So, operant conditioning can be defined:
    • As a procedure in which a response followed by a stimulus recurs.
    • It recurs because of the stimulus.
    • That stimulus is called a reinforcer.
    • Reinforcers are stimuli that make the response that preceded them more likely to recur.
    • Typical reinforcers include the giving of food or drink, and the removal of shock or pain.
  • Other properties of reinforcers will be covered on other pages in this chapter.
  • Discriminative stimuli set the occasion for a response and its associated reinforcer to occur.
    • So, a green traffic light is the discriminative stimulus for the response of pressing on the accelerator of your car.
    • But he facial expression of your boss may set the occasion for you NOT to ask your boss for a raise (because of a likely negative answer to your question).