Skinner’s Operant Conditioning Rewards & Punishments

The video explains operant conditioning, a method to modify behavior using reinforcement and punishment. It covers the concepts of positive and negative reinforcement and punishment, extinction, and the historical contributions of Edward L. Thorndike and BF Skinner. Skinner's experiments with the Skinner box and the ABCs of behavior are discussed, along with his views on behaviorism and its applications. The video concludes with a classroom exercise to demonstrate positive reinforcement.

What is the main goal of positive reinforcement in operant conditioning?

• To decrease a behavior by adding something unpleasant

• To increase a behavior by removing something unpleasant

• To increase a behavior by adding something pleasant

• To decrease a behavior by removing something pleasant

Who is credited with making operant conditioning famous through his experiments?

• B.F. Skinner

• John B. Watson

• Albert Bandura

• Ivan Pavlov

In Skinner's experiment, what does the 'B' in the ABCs of behavior stand for?

• Bias

• Belief

• Behavior

• Benefit

According to Skinner, what is the nature of free will?

• An essential part of human behavior

• A misconception or irrelevant to science

• A fundamental aspect of psychology

• A result of genetic predisposition

What is the purpose of the classroom exercise involving clapping?

• To illustrate the concept of extinction

• To demonstrate negative punishment

• To practice positive reinforcement

• To show the effects of random reinforcement