Page 13 - LEARNING

Operant Conditioning

B.F. Skinner believes that in order to

understand behavior we must first investigate
the cause of an action and the consequence(s).

He also stated that the Operant Conditioning
must be connected with operants (intentional
action that affect the doers surrounding

environment.

Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning

An unconditioned stimulus (such as
food) is paired with a neutral The target behavior is followed by
stimulus (such as a bell). The neutral reinforcement or punishment to either
Condition stimulus eventually becomes the strengthen or weaken it, so that the learner
Approach
conditioned stimulus, which brings is more likely to exhibit the desired behavior
about the conditioned response in the future.
(salivation).

The stimulus occurs immediately The stimulus (either reinforcement or
Stimulus Timing
before the response. punishment) occur soon after the response.

Classical Conditioning vs Operant Conditioning