CH 6: Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a method of learning where people and animals learn to do some things and not do others.  These are learned through consequences of the actions done.  Reinforcement is a method of operant stimulus because it is a process by which a stimulus increases the chances that the   previous behaviour will occur because of the consequence. The reinforcement can be positive meaning that the consequence following the action is pleasant and negative meaning that the consequence is unpleasant following the action meaning that the action will most likely be unrepeated. Here is where rewards and punishments are introduced in reinforcement. Punishments can be introduced for a negative reinforcement in which the punishment can be negative consequence. Rewards on the other hand are used in positive reinforcement acting as the pleasant consequence. Reinforcement can be continuous meaning that it is put into practice every time a behaviour occurs or partial meaning that it is not always put into practice. I believe that reinforcement, if used, it has to be but into practice every time so that the behaviour stays at the level we want. Reinforcement also has to be put into practice in behaviours that we can control.  

Reinforcement seen in animals. Pressing the lever 

will give them food and they have learned this through 

reinforcement.