Operant conditioning BIG BANG THEORY

Psychology Basis

Operant conditioning sometimes called instrumental conditioning was discovered by a behaviorist named B.F. Skinner during his experiments with pigeons in boxes.

Skinners Thought

Skinner believed that internal thoughts and motivations were not were not responsible for an explanation of behavior. He suggested that we look at the external, observable causes to explain our behavior. In other words, we learn from our actions and the consequences to explain how we acquire the wide range of behaviors we exhibit each day.

Key ConceptsReinforcement is any event that increases a behavior that follows. There is two kinds, positive and negative.

Positive reinforcements are good things that happen after the presented behavior such as praise or a direct reward. (you do the dishes after dinner and you get a great big hug and a thank you)

Negative reinforcements are unfavorable things that are taken away after a favorable behavior is performed. (if you play the game and clean up your mess in the house to avoid a fight with your house mate) Both cases of reinforcement INCREASE the favorable behavior.

Key Concepts (continued)

On the flip side, Punishment, is an unfavorable outcome or event after an action. Designed to decrease a behavior.As before, there are two types: Positive and Negative.

Positive punishment (sometimes known as punishment by application). As you can probably guess, it involves the presentation of an unfavorable event/action to decrease a behavior it follows. (i.e. If you perform a burnout in front of a cop on a busy road and then speed off, he will pull you over and give you a ticket)

Negative punishment (punishment by removal). When an Favorable event is Removedafter the behavior is presented, designed to decrease the unfavorable behavior. (I.E. You don’t do your homework, your mom takes away your TV privileges for a week)

Media (BIG BANG)In an episode of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon, Leonard and

Penny are hanging out in the apartment on the couch. Penny sat on Sheldon's favorite spot, realized it and then moved, Sheldon offered her a chocolate candy as a subconscious reward. Penny begins to talk to much and Sheldon subtly tells her to shut up by saying “you’re here a lot now”. Penny replies, “am I talking too much, sorry”, and zips her fingers across her lips. “thank you” Sheldon says, and offers her another chocolate candy which she gladly accepts. Meanwhile, Leonard see’s what is going on and gives Sheldon a dirty look. Suddenly penny’s phone rings and she answers, about to have a long phone conversation in front of them, Sheldon discretely clears his throat, telling her he is annoyed. She quickly picks up on this and tells her friend she will take the call in the hall. The favorable choice to take the call in private was quickly rewarded by Sheldon with another chocolate candy (girls love CHOCOLATE).

Media (BIG BANG)

During our daily ventures in life, whatever happens, we LEARN from it. This forms the way we behave and who we become. Knowing how we learn gives us the ability to better ourselves to benefit yourself in the future. However, it also gives the ability to manipulate and control people’s thoughts and actions (good or bad).

http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/a/introopcond.htm

Other sources: in class, notes and text book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt4N9GSBoMI

The end