2. Key Concepts
The concepts being presented
in this power point help to
make up and support the
theory of Operant Conditioning.
I will define and hopefully
prepare you with a better
understanding of the theory.
Get ready to learn!!!
3. Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement works by presenting a motivating
item to the person after the desired behavior is
exhibited, making the behavior more likely to happen in
the future.
Example: When your teenager comes home with their
report card for every six weeks they earn $10.00 for an
A and $5.00 for a B (motivating the teenager to keep up
the good grades for the great pay at the finish line)
4. Negative Reinforcement
An unpleasant stimulus
added when removed
leads to a greater chance
that the response will be
repeated.
Example: You wake up
early on Saturday morning
to beat the breakfast
crowd at your favorite
restaurant. The following
Saturday you do the
same, both Saturdays you
have successfully missed
the crowd so you will
repeat this every Saturday
for as long as you wish
5. Positive Punishment
A attempt to decrease
the likelihood of a
behavior occurring in the
future
Example: Say you have a
pet snake and you decide
to stroke it’s head the
snake hisses at you as a
warning that it did not
like what you just did
this is a positive
punishment
6. Negative Punishment
Negative punishment is the removal of something
pleasant to decrease the likelihood of the behavior
occurring again.
Example: A student back talks their teacher and loses
the privilege of snack time at 9:30 Am everyday for a
week the removal of the once pleasant snack time acts
at the punisher thus hoping to decrease the chance of
the behavior to occur again.
