11.7: Introduction to Operant Conditioning

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 59954

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

What you’ll learn to do

Explain operant conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment

You’ve already learned about classical conditioning, or conditioning by association. This section will focus on operant conditioning, which emphasizes reinforcement for behaviors. In operant conditioning, the motivation for a behavior happens after the behavior is demonstrated. An animal or a human receives a consequence (reinforcer or punisher) after performing a specific behavior. You’ll learn that all types of reinforcement (positive or negative) increase the likelihood of a behavioral response, while all types of punishment decrease the likelihood of a behavioral response.

Watch IT

Watch this video for a review of classical conditioning and an introduction of operant conditioning to help you differentiate between the two types of learning.

You can view the transcript for “The difference between classical and operant conditioning – Peggy Andover” here (opens in new window).

Learning Objectives

Define and give examples of operant conditioning
Explain the difference between reinforcement and punishment (including positive and negative reinforcement and positive and negative punishment)
Define shaping
Differentiate between primary and secondary reinforcers
Distinguish between reinforcement schedules

Contributors and Attributions

CC licensed content, Original

Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution

The difference between classical and operant conditioning . Authored by: Peggy Andover. Provided by: TedED. Located at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6LEcM0E0io. License: Other. License Terms: Standard YouTube License