Operant conditioning is a type of learning where behaviors are strengthened through reinforcement or weakened through punishment. It is based on the behaviorist perspective that emphasizes observable behaviors and the environment's role in influencing behavior. Reinforcement increases the likelihood a behavior will be repeated by following it with a stimulus. Punishment decreases the likelihood by introducing an aversive stimulus or withdrawing a positive one after an action.

1. Operant
Conditioning
Lecture

2. Learning Perspective
• Behaviorism: Emphasizes
the study of observable
behaviors and events
and the predictable role
of environment in
causing behavior.
– Biology sets limits, but
environment is more
influential
Goetgheluck, Science Photo Library,
2012

3. Operant Conditioning
• Type of learning in which a
person repeats a behavior
that has been reinforced or
ceases a behavior that has
punished.
Cappagh Parish, Derry Diocese, Ireland “Patience”
April 4,2012via Google images , Creative Commons
Attribution.

4. Reinforcement
Stimulus Response
Punishment

5. Operant Conditioning
• Reinforcement: stimulus
followed by behavior
that increases the
probability the behavior
will be repeated.
– Positive
– Negative
Pets | © 2006-2012 Clarity Digital
Group LLC d/b/a

6. Operant Conditioning
• Punishment: stimulus followed by behavior
which decreases the probability that the
behavior will be repeated.
– Positive : Introducing an aversive event
– Negative: Withdrawing a positive event

7. Huitt & Hummel (1997).

8. Resources
Cappagh Parish, Derry Diocese, Ireland “Patience” uploaded April 4,2012 via Google images ,
Creative Commons Attribution from http://www.cappaghparish.com/160809.htm
Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a, Pets , 2006-2012, What is operant conditioning? - National animal
training uploaded April 5, 2012 via Google images . Retrieved from,
Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/animal-training-in-national/what-is-operant-
conditioning#ixzz1rH7Ytgb1
Goetgheluck P. ( 2012) “ White Laboratory Rat”, Science Photo Library, uploaded April 4, 2012 via
Google images. Retrieved from, http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/385783/enlarge#
Huitt, W., & Hummel, J. (1997). An introduction to operant (instrumental) conditioning.
Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Uploaded April 5,
2012 via Google images. Retrieved from,
http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/behsys/operant.html
Wade, C. & Tavris, C. ( 2008). Invitation to Psychology. (5th ed.) New York: Prentice-Hall.