Operant conditioning is a learning process that modifies behavior through reinforcement or punishment. Positive reinforcement increases a behavior by rewarding it, while negative reinforcement increases a behavior by removing an unwanted stimulus. Punishment decreases a behavior by introducing an unpleasant consequence. The document introduces characters like Tripp, a 35-year-old man still living with his parents, and his friend Paula, who is hired to date Tripp using operant conditioning techniques to motivate him to move out on his own.

1. Created by
Elizabeth Smith
Operant
Conditioning

2. 2
Operant conditioning is a learning
process through which the strength of a behavior
is modified by reinforcement or punishment,
used to bring about learning.

3. 3
• Positive Reinforcement:
Increases a behavior because the
consequence is pleasant.

4. 4
• Negative Reinforcement:
Increases a behavior because an unwanted
consequence is eliminated.

5. 5
• Punishment:
Decreases a behavior because it is followed
by unpleasant stimulus.

6. 6Characters

7. 7
Paula:
Has built a successful career by dating men
to help build their self esteem so they will
move out of their parent’s house.

8. 8
• Tripp
Thirty-five-years-old and still lives with his
parents, he doesn’t want a serious
relationship, only to have fun.

9. 9
• Tripp’s Parents:
Mother: Does everything for him, so he stays
home because it is easier.
Father: Is retired and would like him to move
out but won’t say anything about it.

10. 10
• Kit:
Paula’s friend and roommate who is
arguably bipolar, rather eccentric, and quite
unconventional.

11. 11
• Ace and Demo:
Tripp’s friends who also live with their
parents, encourage Tripp to stay immature,
and are his partners in crime.
DemoAce

12. 12Media

13. 13
Tripp’s parents hire Paula to date him and help
convince him to move out. In the end, she falls
for Tripp, and their friends and family get
them back together.

14. 14
Tripp is encouraged to buy a boat, therefore
motivating him to make something of
himself. Paula also inspires him by saying;
“Who says you have to be lonely?”

15. 15Connection

16. 16
• Paula’s job is to utilize Positive
Reinforcement and convince Tripp to
move out.

17. 17
• Positive Reinforcement used:
1. Small kisses as a reward for behaving like an adult.
2. Works to boost his self-esteem.
3. Allows him to teach her things, even though
sometimes she is already adept at them.

18. 18
Negative Reinforcement used:
1. Mother does all his laundry, cooking, and cleaning.
2. Both parents allow him to stay home and not have
any responsibilities.

19. 19
• Punishment used:
Paula encourages parents to require Tripp to do chores, such
as laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping.

20. 20My Take

21. 21
• By using Negative Reinforcement Tripp’s
parents created a cycle, which in turn
created a very detrimental situation.

22. 22
• Paula mentions that she “Teaches special
needs Children”. This connotation is that
these grown men are still stuck in their
childhood, while the world around them
continues to mature.

23. 23
• Paula’s job is to use positive
reinforcement to elicit the desired change
in behavior and for them to become more
independent.

24. 24
• Punishments are occasionally added to
help make the current situation more
unpleasant, thus encouraging the desired
behavior.

25. 25
• People use Positive Reinforcement in
many areas, so this movie is accurate to
some degree although it is dramatized.

26. • Internet images.
Works
Cited
• Wikipedia definition of Operant conditioning.
• My notes.