Theory Database - Theory 43: Operant Conditioning

Theory Database (prototype)

This is a searchable database of theories of behaviour change that have been formalised according to an Ontology-Based Modelling System.

For more information, see:

West, R., Godinho, C. A., Bohlen, L. C., Carey, R. N., Hastings, J., Lefevre, C. E., & Michie, S. (2019). Development of a formal system for representing behaviour-change theories. Nature human behaviour, 3(5), 526. doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0561-2.
Hale, J., Hastings, J., West, R., Lefevre, C. E., Direito, A., Connell Bohlen, L., Godinho, C., Anderson, N., Zink, S., Goarke, H., and Michie, S. (2020) An ontology-based modelling system (OBMS) for representing behaviour change theories applied to 76 theories [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. Wellcome Open Research.

Theory 43: Operant Conditioning

Number of Constructs: 26
Number of Triples: 31

Theory triples

Neutral stimuli transitions to Conditioned reinforcer
Conditioned reinforcer transitions to Generalised reinforcer
Stimulus influences Response
Stimulus influences Operant discrimination
Stimulus and situational generalisation influences Stimulus
Operant behaviour influences Shaping and chaining
Operant behaviour influences Stimulus and situational generalisation
Response influences Reinforcement
Reinforcement influences Extinction
Reinforcement influences Operant behaviour
Shaping and chaining influences Reinforcement
Operant behaviour influences Response generalisation
Response generalisation influences Response
Generalised reinforcer influences Reinforcement
Schedule of reinforcement type of Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement type of Reinforcement
Operant discrimination type of Reinforcement
Skill / performance deficits type of Reinforcement
Negative punishment type of Reinforcement
Response cost type of Reinforcement
Neutral stimuli influences (*) the 'Neutral stimuli' to 'Conditioned reinforcer' Transitions to relationship
Primary reinforcer influences (*) the 'Neutral stimuli' to 'Conditioned reinforcer' Transitions to relationship
Conditioned reinforcer influences (*) the 'Conditioned reinforcer' to 'Generalised reinforcer' Transitions to relationship
Multiple primary reinforcers influences (*) the 'Conditioned reinforcer' to 'Generalised reinforcer' Transitions to relationship
Differential reinforcement type of Schedule of reinforcement
Intermittent reinforcement type of Schedule of reinforcement
Combined schedule of reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement
Fixed-ratio reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement
Variable-ratio reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement
Variable-interval reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement
Fixed-interval reinforcement type of Intermittent reinforcement

Theory illustration

Theory References

Skinner, B.F. (1938). The Behaviour of Organisms: An Experimental Analysis. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Skinner, B.F. (1953). Science and Human Behaviour. New York: The Free Press.