Operant conditioning

[Geratiric horsewoman]

Operant conditioning & horse training

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1. Positive Reinforcement is adding something pleasant to the environment which will increase the likelihood of the behaviour happening again (ie a treat, scratch for behaviour i want etc)

2. Negative Reinforcement is “cessation of a negative or aversive event which increases the likelihood of the behaviour happening again” for example pulling on reins and releasing when the horse stops – the ceasing of the pulling on the reins reinforces the horse and teaches him to stop when he feels the reins tighten. It is the release of the negative/aversive (in this case pulling on the reins) which reinforces.

3. Positive Punishment this is adding something undesirable to the environment to reduce the likelihood of the behaviour. for example a squirt of water on the nose when the horse bites, he is less likely to bite again if the punishment is done at the right time.

4. Negative Punishment: the removal of something pleasent from the environment, which decreases the likelihood of the behaviour. for example a horse who kicks the door when he sees his dinner but the owner then takes it away - he learns kicking the door makes dinner go away so ceases the behaviour.

[monflat]

It can be confusing as some theroists and books get the definitions wrong.
In One well known book the author STATES THAT PUNISHMENT (AN UNPLEASANT CONSEQUENCE ) IS ALSO KNOWN AS NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT .
Which clearly it is not Negative Reinforcement is working away from discomfort.
In the same book the author says that is a horse is kicking the stable door , the trick to dealing with the problem (gives lots of reasons) including to turn the radio on full blast and walk away.

I wonder does this particular author spend time with horses and observe them in their natural state , the author then may find out that horses have extra sensitive hearing and can hear and feel noises and vibrations from miles away.

In another chapter in the same book the author states i never advise the use of punishment when training horses.....

[Elaine]

Sounds like a strange book! Parellis book is a bit off in its descrption as well, but he's probably revised it (I presume) in his latest L1 pack.