Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

Operant Conditioning207Discriminative StimuliSetting the Occasion for RespondingAnother component of operant conditioning is the discriminative stimulus—thespecific stimulus in the presence of which a particular operant is more likely to bereinforced. For example, a ringing phone is a discriminative stimulus that sets theoccasion for a particular response—picking up the telephone and speaking.This example illustrates how we’ve learned from experience to associate certainenvironmental cues or signals with particular operant responses. We’ve learned thatwe’re more likely to be reinforced for performing a particular operant responsewhen we do so in the presence of the appropriate discriminative stimulus. Thus,you’ve learned that you’re more likely to be reinforced for screaming at the top ofyour lungs at a football game (one discriminative stimulus) than in the middle ofclass (a different discriminative stimulus).In this way, according to Skinner (1974), behavior is determined and controlledby the stimuli that are present in a given situation. In Skinner’s view, an individual’sbehavior is not determined by a personal choice or a conscious decision. Instead,individual behavior is determined by environmental stimuli and the person’s reinforcementhistory in that environment. Skinner’s views on this point have somevery controversial implications, which are discussed in the Critical Thinking box,“Is Human Freedom Just an Illusion?”We have now discussed all three fundamental components of operant conditioning(see Table 5.4). In the presence of a specific environmental stimulus(the discriminative stimulus), we emit a particular behavior (the operant), whichis followed by a consequence (reinforcement or punishment). If the consequenceis either positive or negative reinforcement, we are more likely to repeat the operantwhen we encounter the same or similar discriminative stimuli in the future.If the consequence is some form of punishment, we are less likely to repeatthe operant when we encounter the same or similar discriminative stimuli in thefuture.Next, we’ll build on the basics of operant conditioning by considering howSkinner explained the acquisition of complex behaviors.discriminative stimulusA specific stimulus in the presence of whicha particular response is more likely to bereinforced, and in the absence of which aparticular response is not reinforced.Table 5.4Components of Operant ConditioningThe examples given here illustrate the three key components involved in operant conditioning. The basic operant conditioning process workslike this: In the presence of a specific discriminative stimulus, an operant response is emitted, which is followed by a consequence. Dependingon the consequence, we are either more or less likely to repeat the operant when we encounter the same or a similar discriminative stimulusin the future.Discriminative Stimulus Operant Response Consequence Effect on Future BehaviorDefinition The environmental stimulus The actively emitted The environmental stimulus Reinforcement increases the likelihoodthat precedes an operant or voluntary behavior or event that follows the of operant being repeated; punishmentresponse operant response or lack of reinforcement decreasesthe likelihood of operant beingrepeated.Examples Wallet on college sidewalk Give wallet to security $50 reward from wallet’s Positive reinforcement: More likely toownerturn in lost items to authoritiesGas gauge almost on “empty” Fill car with gas Avoid running out of gas Negative reinforcement: More likely tofill car when gas gauge shows emptyInformal social situation at Tell an off-color, Formally reprimanded for Positive punishment: Less likely to tellwork sexist joke sexism and inappropriate off-color, sexist jokes in workplaceworkplace behaviorSoft-drink vending machine Put in quarters Get no soft drink and lose Negative punishment: Less likely to usemoneythat vending machine