Week 2 theories

Week 2
Theories of Motivation

Week 2

Behaviorism: Classical and Operant Conditioning

 Ch3: Behaviorism and Classical Conditioning

 Ch 4: Applications of Behaviorist Principles

Activities

 Discussion Board

Discussion
Board

Part A: Part B:

Provide a specific example of how

these two means of learning

(classical conditioning and operant

learning) combine to lead to a

common behavior in childhood.

Using one behavior as an example,

first explain how the behavior would

be classically conditioned and then

how it would be maintained through

operant conditioning.

Apply the two-factor model to a

behavior that you might see in your

place of work.

The two-factor model posits that behaviors are first conditioned through classical

conditioning and then maintained through operant conditioning.

You can select either Part A or Part B.

Overview of Behaviorism

Psychoanalysis &

Introspection are not

scientific disciplines

➢ individual traits,

thoughts & needs

should be abandoned

Focus on predicting and

controlling observable

behavior

Food→ Salivate

Bell

Bell→ Salivate

Classical

conditioning: a

reflex becomes

associated with a

neutral stimulus

 By the end of the first month, infants begin sucking when

they see a bottle.

 People can become phobic of objects that cannot harm them

(example: ketchup).

The consequences of

behavior influence

the probability that

the behavior will

occur again

Operant Conditioning

Type of
Conditioning

How it Occurs Result

Positive
Reinforcement

Add “good”
stimulus

Behavior

Negative
Reinforcement

Remove “bad”
stimulus

Behavior

Positive
Punishment

Add “bad”
stimulus

Behavior

Negative
Punishment

Remove “good”
stimulus

Behavior

Pleasant feeling after
drinking

Washing hands when
feeling uncomfortable

Medicines that make
people feel sick when

they drink

Jail time for violent
behavior

Effects of Punishment

Which is better for changing behavior?

➢Reinforcement or punishment?

Punishment:

Unpredictable in changing behavior

Says what not to do but….

Suppresses behavior but does not extinguish

Overall, reinforcement is better for control

Discussion Board- Combining Classical & Operant

Conditioning

Example of how these two learning mechanisms combine…

Behavior example: Fear of snakes

Classical: include example of how a fear of snakes could develop through

classical conditioning

State: UCS (pain), UR (fear), Neutral (snake), CS (snake), CR (fear)

Operant: How is a fear of snakes maintained through operant condition? What

type of reinforcement would be used? How might it be used (give example)?

Now when child sees snake she experiences fear and runs away. This is negative

reinforcement as running away avoids the snake and reduces her fear

(temporarily). She, therefore, continues to run away anytime she sees a snake. Her

fear of snakes continues.

Last, but not least..

Just discussion board this week;)

But…

➢Start thinking about paper topics…