# AP Psychology Study Guide: Operant Conditioning ## Unit 6: Learning Unit 6: Learning accounts for 7-9% of the AP Psychology exam. Be sure to understand the intricacies of classical and operant conditioning, as well as observational learning. ### Operant Conditioning Operant conditioning is a type of learning where the consequences of a behavior (rewards or punishments) influence the likelihood of that behavior happening again. #### Understanding Operant Conditioning Operant conditioning, spearheaded by B.F. Skinner, is all about how the **consequences** of our actions shape our future behavior. Unlike classical conditioning, which deals with automatic responses, operant conditioning focuses on **voluntary behaviors**. Think **OPERAnt conditioning = OPERAting on the environment** to produce a consequence. #### Key Concepts and Vocabulary * **Reinforcement:** Anything that *increases* the likelihood of a behavior happening again. * **Positive Reinforcement (+)**: *Adding* something desirable (e.g., giving a treat after a dog sits). Positive reinforcement = **adding** something **positive** * **Negative Reinforcement (-)**: *Removing* something aversive (e.g., taking away a headache by taking medicine). Negative reinforcement = **taking away** something **negative** Don't confuse negative reinforcement with punishment! Negative reinforcement increases the desired behavior by taking away something unpleasant. * **Punishment:** Anything that *decreases* the likelihood of a behavior happening again. * **Positive Punishment (+)**: *Adding* something aversive (e.g., getting a speeding ticket). * **Negative Punishment (-)**: *Removing* something desirable (e.g., taking away a teenager's phone for breaking curfew). Create a table or chart to organize the different types of reinforcement and punishment, with examples for each. This visual aid can be really helpful for memorization and application. * **Shaping:** Reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior. It's like breaking down a complex trick into smaller, achievable steps and rewarding each step along the way. * Example: Teaching a dog to roll over by first rewarding them for lying down, then for rolling onto their side, and finally for a full roll. Think of shaping like **sculpting clay** - you gradually mold the behavior you want. * **Extinction:** The gradual weakening and disappearance of a conditioned response when reinforcement is withheld. Just like in classical conditioning, extinction can occur in operant conditioning when the learned behavior is no longer reinforced. #### Schedules of Reinforcement How often we reinforce a behavior significantly impacts how quickly it's learned and how resistant it is to extinction. 1. **Continuous Reinforcement:** Reinforcing the behavior *every single time* it occurs. This leads to fast learning but also rapid extinction if the reinforcement stops. **Continuous = Consistent** (reinforcement every time) 2. **Partial (Intermittent) Reinforcement:** Reinforcing the behavior *only some of the time*. This leads to slower learning but greater resistance to extinction. There are four main types: * **Fixed-Ratio (FR)**: Reinforcement is given after a *fixed number* of responses (e.g., getting paid for every 10 shirts sewn). * **Variable-Ratio (VR)**: Reinforcement is given after an *unpredictable number* of responses (e.g., slot machines). This schedule is highly resistant to extinction. * **Fixed-Interval (FI)**: Reinforcement is given for the first response after a *fixed amount of time* has passed (e.g., getting a paycheck every two weeks). * **Variable-Interval (VI)**: Reinforcement is given for the first response after an *unpredictable amount of time* has passed (e.g., checking your phone for messages). Be prepared to identify and explain examples of different schedules of reinforcement on the AP exam. #### Applications of Operant Conditioning Operant conditioning principles are used in various settings, including: * **Education:** Shaping behaviors, token economies, and positive reinforcement systems in classrooms. * **Parenting:** Using rewards and consequences to shape children's behavior. * **Animal Training:** Shaping behaviors and teaching complex tricks. * **Therapy (Behavior Modification):** Addressing phobias, addictions, and other behavioral issues. ### Multiple Choice Questions 1. Which of the following is an example of negative reinforcement? (a) Giving a child candy for completing their homework. (b) Taking away a teenager's driving privileges for breaking curfew. (c) A student is exempt from a final exam for having perfect attendance. (d) Scolding a dog for barking excessively. 2. A pigeon is rewarded with food for pecking at a disk, but only after an average of 10 pecks. This is an example of which schedule of reinforcement? (a) Fixed-Ratio (b) Variable-Ratio (c) Fixed-Interval (d) Variable-Interval ### Short Answer Question Briefly describe how a teacher might use shaping to improve a student's participation in class discussions. } ```

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Operant Conditioning

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