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Psychology Factsheets
www.curriculum-press.co.uk Number 17
Operant Conditioning
This factsheet: Consequences of behaviour
• summarises the main features of operant conditioning; and When an animal performs a behaviour, there can be many types of
• assesses the role of operant conditioning in the behaviour of consequence. The consequence may be something pleasant which
non-human animals. will make the animal repeat the behaviour or something nasty which
We have underlined keywords that you should know for the exam. will stop the animal from doing that behaviour again.
The effect of his behaviour (tapping the door) results in something Extinction is when a behaviour is extinguished (unlearned) if the
positive (you opening the door). So, your puppy has learnt the response is not reinforced. The behaviour stops as the animal learns
behaviour by the effect (consequence) it had on the environment. that the behaviour has no consequence. Partial reinforcement leads
to slower extinction than continuous reinforcement. The extinction
is slower because the animal is used to getting rewards infrequently
and keeps going for a while in expectation of a reward.
Table 1: Types of consequence
Type of consequence Description Example
Positive reinforcement Increases the chance of a behaviour occurring again by Receiving a reward (e.g., food) after pressing a lever.
providing a pleasant consequence.
Negative reinforcement Increases the chance of a behaviour occurring again by Moving away from an electric shock.
removing (or escape from) an unpleasant consequence.
Secondary reinforcement Primary reinforcers (rewards) are linked with Food is a primary reinforcer whereas a mother is a
secondary reinforcers. secondary reinforcer because she provides the food.
Punishment Decreases the chance of a Positive punishment provides Giving an electric shock.
behaviour occurring again by a negative consequence by
providing an unpleasant giving something.
consequence. There are two
types of punishment - Negative punishment provides Removing food
positive punishment and a negative consequence by
negative punishment. removing something.
Exam Hint: Learn the Keywords underlined. Candidates should be able to describe, give types of consequence and schedules of
reinforcement for operant conditioning,
1
PMT
Another name for operant conditioning is ‘instrumental conditioning’. The theory of operant conditioning developed from classical
conditioning (see Glossary). Thorndike developed this theory and then Skinner took it further (see text boxes below).
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2. What are the two laws in operant conditioning?
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3. What types of consequence strengthen a behaviour?
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4. What is continuous reinforcement?
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5. Explain two types of partial reinforcement.
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6. Give two advantages of operant conditioning.
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To answer part (a), you need to outline the main features of operant conditioning. It requires a description but not an evaluation of the
theory. You should define operant conditioning and describe the laws, types of consequence and reinforcement schedules. You
should also briefly mention Thorndike and Skinner. Try to use an example of operant conditioning (e.g., Skinner’s rats).
To answer part (b), you need to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of operant conditioning. Any points from the strengths and
limitations sections above are relevant. Include examples of animal behaviour in your evaluation, such as Breland and Breland’s
study or Weiss and Wilson’s experiment.
Acknowledgements: This Psychology Factsheet was researched and written by Amanda Albon. The Curriculum Press, Bank House, 105 King Street, Wellington, Shropshire, TF1 1NU.
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