This file accompanies a Youtube clip made on this topic. It explains Skinner's A.B.C model of Operant conditioning and goes through 2 examples. See www.ePsychVCE.com for access to the Youtube link and more VCE Psychology resources.

1. Operant Conditioning
• Defined as: A learning
process in which the
consequences which follow
a response determine
whether the behaviour will
be repeated
• Behaviour will likely be
repeated which has
reinforced
• And tend not to be repeated
with punishment

2. 3 phase model of operant conditioning
A: Antecedent
B: Behaviour
C: Consequence
Key Operant terminology
• (1) The antecedent condition leads to a
• (2) behaviour/ response which results in a
• (3) consequence (Punishment or Reinforcement)
• Thus affecting future behaviour

3. Example 1: 3 phase model
Discriminative Operant
Consequence
Stimulus response
Example The old lady across the road, asks 17 y.o Xander if he can
mow the lawn for her. He agrees to do it and after he finishes
the job, she thanks him & hands him an envelope with $15 in
it. Now whenever she asks Xander to mow the lawn, he
happily obliges
Discriminative Operant response Consequence Effect on future
Stimulus
behavior
Being Agreeing to Receiving thanks +
asked to mow the lawn and $15 Reinforcement
mow the more likely to
lawn repeat lawn

4. Example 2: 3 phase model
Discriminative Operant
Stimulus Consequence
response
Example Zach finds some cans on paint under the house, on the
weekend he goes to school with some paint and graffiti’s his
tag on several school buildings, he gets busted and is
appears before the children’s court. Zach never graffiti’s again
Discriminative Operant response Consequence Effect on future
Stimulus
behavior
Cans of Graffiti’s tag Busted by Police Punishment
spray names at school less likely to
paint graffiti again