Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Post date: Jan 11, 2017 12:3:17 AM

Today in class, we continued discussing Module 27: Operant Conditioning. To begin class, students completed 5 questions on a practice worksheet. Students had to read the scenario, and determine if the behavior was positively reinforced, negatively reinforced, positively punished, or negatively punished. We discuss these as a class.

Next, the class discussed the concept of shaping. How could Ms. Pretet shape her 3.5 year old niece's behavior to play soccer (or softball)? First, I would reinforce Zoey by telling her good job if she uses her feet to just kid the ball forward. After she masters that, I would then only reinforce Zoey if she kicked the ball to me (as opposed to kicking it 15 feet away from me). Then I might reinforce Zoey if she runs while kicking the ball. After that is mastered, I only offer Zoey reinforcement when she scores a goal. I have now SHAPED her behavior to the desired goal -- she knows how to play soccer!

Then, we talked about the difference between continuous reinforcement (offer reinforcement after the desired behavior EVERY TIME the behavior is performed/completed) and partial/intermittent reinforcement (reinforce the behavior occasionally).

There are 4 types of PARTIAL REINFORCEMENT:

1. fixed interval

2. fixed ratio

3. variable interval

4. variable ratio

We discussed what each of these meant and completed some practice problems from the operant conditioning packet.

7th period:

- began discussing the module 29 and module 30 review questions - see handout attached below

9th period:

- discussed how generalization, discrimination, and extinction occur in classical conditioning but ALSO OCCUR IN OPERANT CONDITIONING.

Homework:

1. Learning Test on Thursday - please see the answer keys for the classical conditioning packet and operant condition packet. Students should complete the Module 29 and 30 worksheet with questions as the "optional review" for those modules.

2. Bring your Learning Modules and States of Consciousness Journals to class on Thursday.

See attachments below for the answer keys to optional assignments for the Learning Chapter.