B.F. Skinner described operant conditioning as learning shaped by reinforcement of behaviors. Reinforcers increase the likelihood a behavior is repeated while punishers decrease it. Reinforcements can be positive, like praise, or negative, like removing an unpleasant stimulus. Teachers commonly use reinforcement, like giving credit for homework, to encourage good student behaviors. Educational software also provides reinforcement messages to shape student performance.

1. By: Rachel Watson, Nick Toro, Amber
Hufstetler, Shandra Settlemyer
*

2. *
*B.F. Skinner described the behavior theory of
Operant Conditioning as: “Learning that is
controlled and results in shaping behavior
through the reinforcement of stimulus-
response patterns.

3. *
*• Neutral operants: responses from the
environment that neither increase nor decrease the
probability of a behavior being repeated.
*• Reinforcers: Responses from the environment
that increase the probability of a behavior being
repeated. Reinforcers can be either positive or
negative.
*• Punishers: Response from the environment that
decrease the likelihood of a behavior being
repeated. Punishment weakens behavior.

4. *

5. *
*Positive
*(something added)
*Positive Reinforcement:
*Something added increases behavior
*Positive Punishment
*Something added decreases behavior

6. *
*Negative
*(something removed)
*Negative Reinforcement
*Something removed increases behavior
*Negative Punishment
*Something removed decreases behavior

7. *

10. *
*Teachers use positive and negative reinforcements
all the time. For example, if a student does their
homework then the teacher gives them credit
(positive reinforcement). On the other hand, if a
student does not do their homework then the
teacher may not give them credit (negative
reinforcement).
*Many softwares are now created to give back
positive reinforcement messages when students do
well, and negative reinforcements when students do
not so well. Teachers can use these programs in
class, or create their own reinforcement messages
if they create something like a PowerPoint quiz.

11. *
*Students will either be encouraged to keep
engaging in a behavior, such as turning in a project
because they receive credit (positive
reinforcement), or discouraged if they are given
negative feedback or less credit.
*Receiving negative feedback on an educational
computer game would discourage the student from
doing poorly again. On the other hand, positive
feedback or winning an educational game would
encourage a student to keep up the good work.

13. *

14. *
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Information Credit:
http://www.learning-
theories.com/operant-conditioning-
skinner.html