1 human behavior and the social environment: theories for social work practice bruce a. thyer,...

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Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work PracticeHuman Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work PracticeBruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, EditorsBruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus, and Karen M. Sowers, Editors

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Operant Learning TheoryOperant Learning Theory

by Stephen E. Wongby Stephen E. Wong

Basic ConceptsBasic Concepts

Operant behavior Operant behavior is current behavior that has been changed by the is current behavior that has been changed by the consequences that have followed it in the past. This is different from consequences that have followed it in the past. This is different from respondent behaviorrespondent behavior (see Chapter 2), which is a function of stimuli which (see Chapter 2), which is a function of stimuli which come come before before the behavior is evoked. Operant behavior can be vastly more the behavior is evoked. Operant behavior can be vastly more complicated than respondent behavior.complicated than respondent behavior.

Operant theory was formally introduced into the social work field in the Operant theory was formally introduced into the social work field in the middle 1960s by individuals such as Edwin J. Thomas and Richard B. Stuart middle 1960s by individuals such as Edwin J. Thomas and Richard B. Stuart at the University of Michigan. at the University of Michigan.

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Chapter 3Chapter 3Operant Learning TheoryOperant Learning Theory



Reinforcement Reinforcement refers to how behavior can be strengthened because of the refers to how behavior can be strengthened because of the consequences that have followed it in the past.consequences that have followed it in the past.

If a consequence involves the If a consequence involves the presentationpresentation of something, and behavior is later of something, and behavior is later strengthened, this process is called strengthened, this process is called positivepositive reinforcement. Think of getting something reinforcement. Think of getting something good in return for behaving in certain ways.good in return for behaving in certain ways.

If a consequence involves the If a consequence involves the removalremoval of something, and behavior is later of something, and behavior is later strengthened, this is called strengthened, this is called negativenegative reinforcement. Think of experiencing relief, the reinforcement. Think of experiencing relief, the removal of something unpleasant, in return for behavior in certain ways.removal of something unpleasant, in return for behavior in certain ways.

Both positive and negative reinforcement are good things. We usually like having our Both positive and negative reinforcement are good things. We usually like having our behavior positively or negatively reinforced.behavior positively or negatively reinforced.

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Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work PracticeHuman Behavior and the Social Environment: Theories for Social Work PracticeBruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus and Karen M. Sowers, EditorsBruce A. Thyer, Catherine N. Dulmus and Karen M. Sowers, Editors




Punishment Punishment refers to how behavior can berefers to how behavior can be weakened weakened because of the consequences that have because of the consequences that have followed it in the past.followed it in the past.

If a consequence involves the If a consequence involves the presentationpresentation of something, and behavior is later weakened, this of something, and behavior is later weakened, this process is called process is called positivepositive punishment. Think of being spanked for childhood misbehavior. punishment. Think of being spanked for childhood misbehavior.

If a consequence involves the If a consequence involves the removalremoval of something, and behavior is later weakened, this is called of something, and behavior is later weakened, this is called negativenegative punishment. Think of being fined for speeding on the highway. punishment. Think of being fined for speeding on the highway.

Both positive and negative reinforcement are bad things. We usually dislike having our behavior Both positive and negative reinforcement are bad things. We usually dislike having our behavior positively or negatively punished.positively or negatively punished.

Negative reinforcement is NOT the same thing as punishment. The former is usually seen as Negative reinforcement is NOT the same thing as punishment. The former is usually seen as GOOD and strengthens behavior, while the latter is unpleasant and weakens behavior.GOOD and strengthens behavior, while the latter is unpleasant and weakens behavior.

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Schedules of reinforcement Schedules of reinforcement refers to the timing and regularity of the consequences that follow refers to the timing and regularity of the consequences that follow behavior. Reinforcers that occur every so often, on a regular schedule, when we engage in a behavior. Reinforcers that occur every so often, on a regular schedule, when we engage in a behavior, are operating under a behavior, are operating under a fixed intervalfixed interval schedule of reinforcement. If the reinforcers occur schedule of reinforcement. If the reinforcers occur after we have performed a certain after we have performed a certain numbernumber of behaviors, the behavior is operating on a of behaviors, the behavior is operating on a fixed-ratio fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.schedule of reinforcement.

If the time periods before reinforcing consequences occur vary, the operation is known as a If the time periods before reinforcing consequences occur vary, the operation is known as a variable-interval variable-interval schedule of reinforcement. Similarly, if reinforcers occur after a changing schedule of reinforcement. Similarly, if reinforcers occur after a changing number of behaviors, the schedule is called a number of behaviors, the schedule is called a variable-ratiovariable-ratio one. one.

Behaviors maintained on a variable-ratio/variable interval schedule of reinforcement are more Behaviors maintained on a variable-ratio/variable interval schedule of reinforcement are more durable (think of playing slot machines) than behaviors maintained by a continuous durable (think of playing slot machines) than behaviors maintained by a continuous reinforcement schedule, wherein reinforcement occurs after every occurrence of a particular reinforcement schedule, wherein reinforcement occurs after every occurrence of a particular behavior (think of using a vending machine). If nothing happens after you insert your money, behavior (think of using a vending machine). If nothing happens after you insert your money, which behavior will you give up more rapidly? Playing the slots, or feeding coins into a vending which behavior will you give up more rapidly? Playing the slots, or feeding coins into a vending machine?machine?

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Operant extinction Operant extinction usually occurs when the reinforcers that have maintained a usually occurs when the reinforcers that have maintained a behavior in the past stop occurring. The behavior may strengthen for a while (called behavior in the past stop occurring. The behavior may strengthen for a while (called an an extinction burstextinction burst), but will eventually diminish and halt.), but will eventually diminish and halt.

Shaping Shaping occurs when successive approximations, or small steps toward a complex occurs when successive approximations, or small steps toward a complex terminal behavior, are reinforced, with reinforcement gradually being made terminal behavior, are reinforced, with reinforcement gradually being made contingent on coming closer to the desired behavioral outcome.contingent on coming closer to the desired behavioral outcome.

Most complex human behavior is Most complex human behavior is Rule-governed behaviorRule-governed behavior, under the control of verbal , under the control of verbal descriptions of contingencies, not descriptions of contingencies, not contingency-shapedcontingency-shaped behavior initially shaped by behavior initially shaped by direct contact with contingencies themselves. direct contact with contingencies themselves.

Operant theory Operant theory has obvious and compelling applications across the entire spectrum of has obvious and compelling applications across the entire spectrum of social work practice, micro through macro, in terms of understanding how and why social work practice, micro through macro, in terms of understanding how and why people behave in certain ways, and in developing interventions to change behavior.people behave in certain ways, and in developing interventions to change behavior.

1 human behavior and the social environment: theories for social work practice bruce a. thyer,...

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