Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
rule of operant conditioning is that behavior will get stronger if the
perceived consequences of that behavior are positive, and the behavior
will weaken or stop if the sum of the perceived consequences is nega-
tive. A big difference with classical conditioning is that this way of
learning works via the consequences that follow on a behavior,
whereas classical conditioning always works by simultaneous stimuli
before the behavior takes place. Operant conditioning works by finding
out what the effect of a behavior is. It shapes behavior via a feedback
loop. If we touch a hot stove, we will feel pain and we will learn that
hot stoves can be painful and dangerous if we touch them. Once the
feedback loop is established, a shortcut will arise, giving us a sense of
danger even without acting.
Learned
anxiety
response
Neutral
Stimulus
Negative
effect
Risk
sensitivity
Behavioral
response
Operant conditioning
Risk
Sensitivity
Conditioned
stimulus
Examples of positive effects (that reinforce the actual behavior) are
reaching the aimed goal, earning profits in time (ready to go home) and
money (bonus), social approval, and social inclusion. Examples of nega-
tive effects (that weaken the behavior) are pain, social exclusion, punish-
ment, and loss of money or goods. Remembrance of previous problems
or accidents can have a comparable negative impact on a stimulus. It is
important to notice that the words perceived effects are used. An effect
that is perceived as reinforcing for one person is not necessarily per-
ceived like that by another person. So the same set of consequences can
stimulate one person to continue or even strengthen a specific behavior,
whereas it can weaken or stop the same behavior for another person.
Operant conditioning always requires trial and error.
For new behaviors or for old behaviors in new situations, we mostly
do not know the effect in advance. In these cases, operant learning
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