B.F. Skinner was an American psychologist who developed the theory of operant conditioning. He believed that learning is based on consequences and that behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on reinforcement and punishment. Skinner's theory of operant conditioning built upon Thorndike's law of effect and introduced the concept of reinforcement. Operant conditioning focuses on how voluntary behaviors are influenced by environmental consequences and can be used to shape behaviors through positive or negative reinforcement or punishment. Skinner's theory has influenced instructional methods like direct instruction and the use of technology in education.

1. B.F. SkinnerB.F. Skinner
Operant ConditioningOperant Conditioning
By:By:
Jenifer FloresJenifer Flores
Patricia GuardadoPatricia Guardado
Vicky MendelVicky Mendel

2. Burrhuss Frederic (B.F.) SkinnerBurrhuss Frederic (B.F.) Skinner
Personal infoPersonal info
 Born on March 20, 1904 in Susquenhanna,Born on March 20, 1904 in Susquenhanna,
Pennsylvania.Pennsylvania.
 At age 32, he married Yvonne BlueAt age 32, he married Yvonne Blue
and the couple moved to Minnesotaand the couple moved to Minnesota
where Skinner had his first teaching job.where Skinner had his first teaching job.
 Died of leukemia on August 18, 1990.Died of leukemia on August 18, 1990.

3. B.F. Skinner cont’dB.F. Skinner cont’d
EducationEducation
 Majored in Literature at Hamilton College inMajored in Literature at Hamilton College in
New York and became a writer.New York and became a writer.
 In 1928 he started graduate school in theIn 1928 he started graduate school in the
Psychology department of HarvardPsychology department of Harvard
University.University.
 He received his PhD in 1931.He received his PhD in 1931.

4. B.F. Skinner FoundationB.F. Skinner Foundation
 ““Better behavioral science for a moreBetter behavioral science for a more
humane world”.humane world”.

5. Theory IntroductionTheory Introduction
• Skinner’s Theory is based on the ideaSkinner’s Theory is based on the idea
that learning is a function of change inthat learning is a function of change in
overt Behaviorovert Behavior
• Skinner’s Theory is known as OperantSkinner’s Theory is known as Operant
ConditioningConditioning
o Operant Conditioning is distinct in that theOperant Conditioning is distinct in that the
organism can emit responses, instead oforganism can emit responses, instead of
eliciting a response due to an externaleliciting a response due to an external
stimulus.stimulus.

6. Operant ConditioningOperant Conditioning
• Skinner is regarded as the father ofSkinner is regarded as the father of
Operant Conditioning, but his work wasOperant Conditioning, but his work was
based on Thorndike’s law of effect.based on Thorndike’s law of effect.
• Skinner introduced a new term into the LawSkinner introduced a new term into the Law
of Effectof Effect - Reinforcement. Behavior which is- Reinforcement. Behavior which is
reinforced tends to be repeated (i.e.reinforced tends to be repeated (i.e.
strengthened); behavior which is notstrengthened); behavior which is not
reinforced tends to die out-or bereinforced tends to die out-or be
extinguished (i.e. weakened).extinguished (i.e. weakened).

7. Operant Conditioning ContinuedOperant Conditioning Continued
• Based on the work of Edward Thorndike.Based on the work of Edward Thorndike.
o Studied learning in animals (cats) by using aStudied learning in animals (cats) by using a
puzzle box to propose the theory ‘Law of Effect’puzzle box to propose the theory ‘Law of Effect’
o Law of Effect stated that any behavior that isLaw of Effect stated that any behavior that is
followed by pleasant consequences is likely tofollowed by pleasant consequences is likely to
be repeated, and any behavior followed bybe repeated, and any behavior followed by
unpleasant consequences is likely to beunpleasant consequences is likely to be
stopped.stopped.
o Law of Effect lead to the development ofLaw of Effect lead to the development of
operant conditioning, within behaviorism.operant conditioning, within behaviorism.

8. Distinctive Aspect of Skinner’sDistinctive Aspect of Skinner’s
TheoryTheory
• Skinner’s Theory attempted toSkinner’s Theory attempted to
provide Behavioral explanations for aprovide Behavioral explanations for a
range of cognitive phenomena, suchrange of cognitive phenomena, such
as drive (motivation), in terms ofas drive (motivation), in terms of
deprivation.deprivation.

9. Operant ConditioningOperant Conditioning
• Skinner believedSkinner believed that we do have such athat we do have such a
thing as a mind, but that it is simply morething as a mind, but that it is simply more
productive to study observable behaviorproductive to study observable behavior
rather than internal mental events.rather than internal mental events.
• Skinner believed that the best way toSkinner believed that the best way to
understand behavior is to look at the causeunderstand behavior is to look at the cause
of an action and its consequences. (operantof an action and its consequences. (operant
conditioning)conditioning)

10. Terminology in Operant ConditioningTerminology in Operant Conditioning
• Organism in this presentation will refer toOrganism in this presentation will refer to
animals in experiments.animals in experiments.
• External Stimulus: A signal thatExternal Stimulus: A signal that
originates from outside and organism.originates from outside and organism.
• Stimulus Response: Anything thatStimulus Response: Anything that
strengthens a desired response, isstrengthens a desired response, is
reinforcement, such as verbal praise.reinforcement, such as verbal praise.

11. Terminology Cont’dTerminology Cont’d
• Negative Reinforcement:Negative Reinforcement:
-Any stimulus that promotes increased-Any stimulus that promotes increased
frequency of a response. It is notfrequency of a response. It is not
punishment.punishment.
. Example: The removal of an unpleasant re-. Example: The removal of an unpleasant re-
inforcer can also strengthen behavior. This isinforcer can also strengthen behavior. This is
known asknown as Negative ReinforcementNegative Reinforcement because itbecause it
is theis the removal of an adverse stimulusremoval of an adverse stimulus whichwhich
is ‘rewarding’ . Negative reinforcementis ‘rewarding’ . Negative reinforcement
strengthens behavior because it stops orstrengthens behavior because it stops or
removes an unpleasant experienceremoves an unpleasant experience

12. Skinner’s Three Type of Responses ThatSkinner’s Three Type of Responses That
Can Follow BehaviorCan Follow Behavior
• Neutral OperantsNeutral Operants
o Neither increase nor decrease the probability ofNeither increase nor decrease the probability of
a behavior being repeated.a behavior being repeated.
• Re-inforcers:Re-inforcers:
o Responses from the environment that increaseResponses from the environment that increase
the probability of a behavior being repeatedthe probability of a behavior being repeated
• PunishersPunishers
o Response from the environment that decreaseResponse from the environment that decrease
the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
Punishment weakens behavior.Punishment weakens behavior.

13. ReinforcersReinforcers
 PrimaryPrimary
 SecondarySecondary
 B.F. Skinner's schedules of reinforcementB.F. Skinner's schedules of reinforcement
 a) Variable Intervala) Variable Interval
 b) Variable Ratiob) Variable Ratio
 c) Fixed Intervalc) Fixed Interval
 d) Fixed Ratiod) Fixed Ratio

14. Summary of Skinner’s OperantSummary of Skinner’s Operant
ConditioningConditioning
• Behaviorism is primarily concerned withBehaviorism is primarily concerned with
observable behavior, as opposed toobservable behavior, as opposed to
internal events like thinking and emotion.internal events like thinking and emotion.
• The major influence on human behavior isThe major influence on human behavior is
learning from our environment.learning from our environment.

15. Perspective and Implications forPerspective and Implications for
Instructional Technology Based onInstructional Technology Based on
Skinner’s OperantSkinner’s Operant
Conditioning.Conditioning.
• Article: Direct Instruction Revisited: A Key ModelArticle: Direct Instruction Revisited: A Key Model
for Instructional Technology, by Susan G.for Instructional Technology, by Susan G.
Magliaro, Barbara B. Lockee & John K. BurtonMagliaro, Barbara B. Lockee & John K. Burton
• Rooted in behavioral theory, particularly theRooted in behavioral theory, particularly the
radical or selectivist behaviorism of B.F.radical or selectivist behaviorism of B.F.
Skinner (1953, 1954, 1966, 1968, 1974), theSkinner (1953, 1954, 1966, 1968, 1974), the
direct instruction (DI) approach to teachingdirect instruction (DI) approach to teaching
is now well into its third decade ofis now well into its third decade of
influencing curriculum, instruction, andinfluencing curriculum, instruction, and
research.research.

16. Perspective and Implications forPerspective and Implications for
Instructional Technology Based onInstructional Technology Based on
Skinner’s Operant ConditioningSkinner’s Operant Conditioning cont’dcont’d
 In 1968 Skinner publishedIn 1968 Skinner published TheThe
Technology of TeachingTechnology of Teaching, that has, that has
influenced today’s instructional technologyinfluenced today’s instructional technology
in the classroom.in the classroom.
 The perfect machine that Skinner lackedThe perfect machine that Skinner lacked
is now available with the coming of theis now available with the coming of the
computer and internet.computer and internet.

17. Perspective and Implications cont’dPerspective and Implications cont’d
 The articles intent is to show how DirectThe articles intent is to show how Direct
Instruction, which has foundationalInstruction, which has foundational
components in Skinner’s Operant Theory, hascomponents in Skinner’s Operant Theory, has
evolved in practice and describe how it is beingevolved in practice and describe how it is being
used in instructional technologyused in instructional technology

18. Perspective and Implications cont’dPerspective and Implications cont’d
 )) Direct InstructionDirect Instruction has evolved inhas evolved in
response to new understanding.response to new understanding.
 Direct Instruction is a behavioral basedDirect Instruction is a behavioral based
model, in which is assumed that learnersmodel, in which is assumed that learners
must be active (behaving) to learn.must be active (behaving) to learn.

19. Perspective and Implications cont’dPerspective and Implications cont’d
 In The Technology of Teaching, SkinnerIn The Technology of Teaching, Skinner
(1968) stated, It is important to emphasize(1968) stated, It is important to emphasize
that a student does not passively absorbthat a student does not passively absorb
knowledge from the world around him butknowledge from the world around him but
must play an active role, and also thatmust play an active role, and also that
action is not simply talking. To know is toaction is not simply talking. To know is to
act effectively, both verbally andact effectively, both verbally and
nonverbally.nonverbally.

20. Skinner’s Implications forSkinner’s Implications for
InstructionInstruction
 Has influenced Direct Instruction, in which allHas influenced Direct Instruction, in which all
phases can be executed utilizing computerphases can be executed utilizing computer
based instruction.based instruction.
 Can be executed in an individulized and selfCan be executed in an individulized and self
paced manner.paced manner.
 Network systems, such and AsynchronousNetwork systems, such and Asynchronous
course template systems such as Blackboardcourse template systems such as Blackboard
can add increased flexibility in instruction andcan add increased flexibility in instruction and
possess the ability to conduct pre-assessmentspossess the ability to conduct pre-assessments
and present information in a variety of formats,and present information in a variety of formats,
using post-assessment and corrective feedbackusing post-assessment and corrective feedback
to instruction

21. Operant ConditioningOperant Conditioning

22. QuestionsQuestions

23. Question #1Question #1
 What is a formal definition of "operant"?What is a formal definition of "operant"?
 a) a contingent or noncontingent stimulus-a) a contingent or noncontingent stimulus-
induced responseinduced response
 b) a behaviorb) a behavior
 c) a discriminative stimulusc) a discriminative stimulus
 d) a behavior under the control of ad) a behavior under the control of a
stimulusstimulus
 e) a class of behaviors with an equivalente) a class of behaviors with an equivalent
effect on the environmenteffect on the environment

24. Question #2Question #2
 Negative reinforcement...Negative reinforcement...
 a) increases the rate of behaviora) increases the rate of behavior
 b) involves following a behavior with ab) involves following a behavior with a
noxious or aversive stimulusnoxious or aversive stimulus
 c) is a form of punishmentc) is a form of punishment
 d) is also called DRLd) is also called DRL
 e) requires an extinction periode) requires an extinction period

26. Question #3Question #3
 What is a punishment?What is a punishment?
 a) An unpleasant event or stimulus.a) An unpleasant event or stimulus.
 b) Any undesired event or stimulus thatb) Any undesired event or stimulus that
weakens or decreases a behavior.weakens or decreases a behavior.
 c) A disagreeable consequence.d)c) A disagreeable consequence.d)
Something the individual dislikes.Something the individual dislikes.

27. Question #4Question #4
 Which of the following is true of learning?Which of the following is true of learning?
 a) Learning is relatively permanent.a) Learning is relatively permanent.
 b) Learning involves a change inb) Learning involves a change in
behavior.behavior.
 c) Learning occurs through experience.c) Learning occurs through experience.
 d) All of the aboved) All of the above

28. Question #5Question #5
 Negative reinforcement increases theNegative reinforcement increases the
strength or frequency of a response bystrength or frequency of a response by
__________ an aversive stimulus.__________ an aversive stimulus.
 a) Increasinga) Increasing
 b) Decreasingb) Decreasing
 c) Removingc) Removing
 d) Ignoringd) Ignoring

29. SourcesSources
 L.D., Smith, & W.R., Woodard. (1996).L.D., Smith, & W.R., Woodard. (1996). B.f. Skinner and behaviorism inB.f. Skinner and behaviorism in
American cultureAmerican culture. Bethlehem , London; Cranbury, NJ: Lehigh University. Bethlehem , London; Cranbury, NJ: Lehigh University
Press.Press.
 R.A., Reiser, & J.V., Dempsey. (2007).R.A., Reiser, & J.V., Dempsey. (2007). Trends and issues in instructionalTrends and issues in instructional
design and technologydesign and technology. Upper Saddle River, NJ; Columbus, OH: Prentice. Upper Saddle River, NJ; Columbus, OH: Prentice
Hall.Hall.
 http://www.simplypsychology.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Operanthttp://www.simplypsychology.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Operant
%20Conditioning.pdf%20Conditioning.pdf
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_ctJqjlrHAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_ctJqjlrHA
 http.//www.simplypsychology.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Edward-thorndike.htmlhttp.//www.simplypsychology.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Edward-thorndike.html
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30. Sources cont’dSources cont’d
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 http://tip.psychology.org/skinner.htmlhttp://tip.psychology.org/skinner.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._F._Skinnerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._F._Skinner
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31. The EndThe End