Operant Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
PSY390
April 28, 2014
Operant Conditioning
From the time humans are born, they begin the process of learning. Learning can occur by means of experience, conditioning, and environmental factors. There are different types of learning such as classical conditioning through association, modeling or observational through observation, and operant conditioning through consequences. Over a period of time, if a certain outcome is consistently followed by a particular behavior, this may affect the incidence of future behaviors (Charles, 2014). Through the use of positive and negative reinforcement, a behavior may increase or decrease. Using reinforcement schedules may also ensure a productive outcome because of the consistency that it offers.
Operant Conditioning Operant conditioning is the method of learning through a system of rewards (Charles, 2014). and punishments system to change a behavior. This type of conditioning can result in behavioral changes. The rewards or punishments applied may depend on what the desired outcome is, for example; positive input given may reinforce good behavior. When a person does something that produces a good outcome, it is likely that the good behavior will be repeated in the future. When it is followed by a less than favorable outcome, the behavior becomes less likely to be repeated. There is also the natural law, such as a child getting burned on a hot object. There is also social convention, which is the result of someone encouraging another emotionally. The term punishment is not limited to the definition that if you commit a crime you end up in prison, rather it is the undesirable outcome. Thorndike stated in one of his experiments, “The greater the satisfaction or discomfort, the greater the strengthening or weakening of the bond” (Thorndike, 1911, p. 244).
Skinner did not have a specific rule of how to determine the most effective reinforcer. What works for one person as a reward may not work for
PSY390
April 28, 2014
Operant Conditioning
From the time humans are born, they begin the process of learning. Learning can occur by means of experience, conditioning, and environmental factors. There are different types of learning such as classical conditioning through association, modeling or observational through observation, and operant conditioning through consequences. Over a period of time, if a certain outcome is consistently followed by a particular behavior, this may affect the incidence of future behaviors (Charles, 2014). Through the use of positive and negative reinforcement, a behavior may increase or decrease. Using reinforcement schedules may also ensure a productive outcome because of the consistency that it offers.
Operant Conditioning Operant conditioning is the method of learning through a system of rewards (Charles, 2014). and punishments system to change a behavior. This type of conditioning can result in behavioral changes. The rewards or punishments applied may depend on what the desired outcome is, for example; positive input given may reinforce good behavior. When a person does something that produces a good outcome, it is likely that the good behavior will be repeated in the future. When it is followed by a less than favorable outcome, the behavior becomes less likely to be repeated. There is also the natural law, such as a child getting burned on a hot object. There is also social convention, which is the result of someone encouraging another emotionally. The term punishment is not limited to the definition that if you commit a crime you end up in prison, rather it is the undesirable outcome. Thorndike stated in one of his experiments, “The greater the satisfaction or discomfort, the greater the strengthening or weakening of the bond” (Thorndike, 1911, p. 244).
Skinner did not have a specific rule of how to determine the most effective reinforcer. What works for one person as a reward may not work for
References: Charles, Eric Ph.D. (2014, February 27). Psychology Today Magazine. Fixing psychology: explaining behaviorism: operant & classical conditioning. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fixing-psychology/201402/explaining-behaviorism-operant-classical-conditioning Olson, M. H. & Hergenhahn, B. R. (2013). An introduction to theories of learning (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Thorndike, E.L. (1911). Animal intelligence: experimental studies. New York. Macmillan. University of Washington. (2014). Three major types of learning. Retrieved from http://faculty.washington.edu/robinet/Learning.htm (2014). Boundless.com/psychology. Retrieved from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/learning/operant-conditioning/schedules-of-reinforcement/