Summary
Behaviour changes through rewards and punishments, as in Skinner's experiments.
In depth
Positive reinforcement adds a reward, negative reinforcement removes an aversive stimulus, punishment reduces behaviour. Skinner's box showed rats pressing levers for food. Schedules of reinforcement affect persistence.
Behaviours followed by good outcomes become more frequent; those followed by bad ones less. Shaping rewards successive approximations of a target behaviour. Variable-ratio schedules, like slot machines, produce the most persistent responding.
Common mistake: negative reinforcement is not punishment; it removes an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behaviour.
Frequently asked questions
What is Operant Conditioning?
Behaviour changes through rewards and punishments, as in Skinner's experiments.
Which area of biology covers Operant Conditioning, and how advanced is it?
Operant Conditioning is one of the 53 topics in Animal Behaviour. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Instinct, Classical Conditioning, Learned Behaviour.
Can you give an example of Operant Conditioning?
Dog training uses treats as reinforcement.
What should I learn before Operant Conditioning?
Operant Conditioning is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Animal Behaviour that pair well with it include Animal Behaviour, Innate Behaviour, Learned Behaviour.
What topics are related to Operant Conditioning?
The closest topics to Operant Conditioning are Instinct, Classical Conditioning, Learned Behaviour, Animal Behaviour. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Operant Conditioning?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Operant Conditioning. To practise the whole of Animal Behaviour, use the Animal Behaviour quiz.
How is Operant Conditioning different from Instinct?
Operant Conditioning: Behaviour changes through rewards and punishments, as in Skinner's experiments. Instinct: An inborn pattern of behaviour triggered by a particular stimulus. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
What is a common mistake about Operant Conditioning?
Negative reinforcement is not punishment; it removes an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behaviour.
How should I study Operant Conditioning step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Instinct and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Animal Behaviour quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.