Operant conditioning | Skinner's Experiment

Operant conditioning

By Iqra Sageer | Updated on October 24, 2023 

Operant conditioning, also known as instrumental conditioning, is a learning process that employs rewards and punishments to shape behavior. In this framework, behavior reinforced with rewards is more likely to be repeated, while behavior that is followed by punishment is less likely to occur again in the future.

For instance, in a workplace setting, if you receive a bonus for outstanding performance at work, you're inclined to continue performing at higher level in anticipation of future bonuses. Given that this behavior led to a positive outcome, it is probable that it will be repeated.

The Operant Conditioning Theory

The Operant Conditioning Theory was initially formulated by behaviorist B.F. Skinner. His theory rested on two fundamental assumptions.

·   Firstly, he suggested that the cause of human behavior lies in environmental factors.

·   Secondly, he asserted that the outcomes of a behavior dictate the likelihood of its recurrence.

Though Skinner is credited as the pioneer of operant conditioning, his ideas were rooted in Thorndike's law of effect. The law of effect sates that behavior that is reinforced by a positive consequence is more likely to be repeated, while behavior that is followed by an unfavorable consequence is less likely to be repeated.

Types of Responses

Through his experiments, Skinner identified three types of responses that followed behavior:

Neutral operant. They are responses from the environment that produce no stimulus other than focusing attention. They neither increase nor decrease the probability of a behavior being repeated.

Reinforcers. They are responses from the environment that increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. They can either be positive or negative.

Punishers.  Responses from the environment that decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Punishment weakens behavior.

Skinner’s Experiment

During his studies around the 1930s, Skinner developed a special testing environment called an “operant conditioning chamber” which is usually popular as the “Skinner Box”.

In his experiment, he placed a hungry rat in the Skinner box. At first, the rat moves randomly and by chance presses the lever which delivers food. After receiving this reward, the animal carry on its activity, sniffing, stretching, and dining itself, but sooner or later it presses the bar again. The rat receives the reward again, and as time passes, the bar is pressed more frequently. Eventually, a point is reached where the rat presses the bar consistently to receive the reward. When the rat learned this response and is placed in Skinner’s box, it again is pressing the bar immediately to get the reward. The rat continued the activity until satisfied.

He also showed how negative reinforcement can be used to increase the probability of behavior. This time he placed a rat that was not hungry. He applied an unpleasant electric current which caused it some discomfort. As the rat moved in the box it would accidentally knock the lever. Immediately the electric current would be switched off. The rat quickly learned to go straight to the lever after a few times of being put in the box. The consequence of escaping the electric current ensured that the rat would repeat the action again and again.

Classical Conditioning