Instrumental/Operant Conditioning
EXPERIMENT NO. 5
Instrumental/Operant Conditioning
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate behavior modification through the application of operant conditioning techniques.
INTRODUCTION Operant conditioning was first observed by Edward Thorndike’s observation that behavior is encouraged and discouraged by its consequences. “Operants” was the term conceptualized by Skinner from the said behaviors for they operate on the surrounding environment to generate consequences. Thus, behavior that is followed by positive consequences more likely is to increase in frequency, whereas behavior followed by negative consequences more likely is to decrease in frequency (Hewage, 2007). A study conducted by Jezierski, Górecka-Bruzda, Walczak, Świergiel, Chruszczewski, and Pearson (2010) is all about dog training for scent identification based on operant conditioning. And accordingly, operant conditioning is a behavior modification in which positive and negative reinforcements are given for the production of responses or behaviors to reoccur in the future. To test one of the basic assumptions of the functional avoidance hypothesis that is the autobiographical memory retrieval is the objective of another study of Debeer, Raes, Williams, Craeynest, & Hermans (2013) which can be brought under control. The said researchers were able to develop a new operant conditioning paradigm in which their participants were asked to autobiographical memories in response to 60 cue words (six blocks of 10 cues).
MATERIALS
Timer, tally sheet, pencil, 100 marbles, 3 large cans of identical sizes-one marked with “X,” one with “Y,” and one unmarked which will originally contain the marbles.
PROCEDURES
Select 2 naive students (one each for experimental and controlled) as subjects and 2 experimenters.
Place the unmarked can containing the 100 marbles on a table. Place cans X and Y on separate tables but where each is equally accessible. S should be standing and use only one hand. After each trial
Instrumental/Operant Conditioning
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate behavior modification through the application of operant conditioning techniques.
INTRODUCTION Operant conditioning was first observed by Edward Thorndike’s observation that behavior is encouraged and discouraged by its consequences. “Operants” was the term conceptualized by Skinner from the said behaviors for they operate on the surrounding environment to generate consequences. Thus, behavior that is followed by positive consequences more likely is to increase in frequency, whereas behavior followed by negative consequences more likely is to decrease in frequency (Hewage, 2007). A study conducted by Jezierski, Górecka-Bruzda, Walczak, Świergiel, Chruszczewski, and Pearson (2010) is all about dog training for scent identification based on operant conditioning. And accordingly, operant conditioning is a behavior modification in which positive and negative reinforcements are given for the production of responses or behaviors to reoccur in the future. To test one of the basic assumptions of the functional avoidance hypothesis that is the autobiographical memory retrieval is the objective of another study of Debeer, Raes, Williams, Craeynest, & Hermans (2013) which can be brought under control. The said researchers were able to develop a new operant conditioning paradigm in which their participants were asked to autobiographical memories in response to 60 cue words (six blocks of 10 cues).
MATERIALS
Timer, tally sheet, pencil, 100 marbles, 3 large cans of identical sizes-one marked with “X,” one with “Y,” and one unmarked which will originally contain the marbles.
PROCEDURES
Select 2 naive students (one each for experimental and controlled) as subjects and 2 experimenters.
Place the unmarked can containing the 100 marbles on a table. Place cans X and Y on separate tables but where each is equally accessible. S should be standing and use only one hand. After each trial
References: Debeer, E., Raes, F., Williams, J. M., Craeynest, M., & Hermans, D. (2013). Operant conditioning of autobiographical memory retrieval. Memory, 10, 1-13. Retrieved September 6, 2014, from http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2013. Hewage, C. G. (2009). Behaviour therapy for medical practice. Galle Medical Journal, 12(1), 45 48. T. Jezierski, A. Górecka-Bruzda, M. Walczak, A. Świergiel, M. Chruszczewski, B. Pearson. (2010). Animal Science Papers and Reports. Retrieved September 6, 2014, from http://www.ighz.edu.pl/files/objects/2832/66/strona81-94. Student: Magat, Flor Camille G. Professor In Charge: Dr. Normaliza Ramirez Date of Experiment: 09/02/2014 Date of Submission: 09/08/2014