OPERANT CONDITIONING

Skinner's Operant Conditioning

Skinner's Operant Conditioning

Introduction

A learning theory is a set of systematic, integrated concepts and research-based descriptions of how individuals acquire knowledge, skills, and competencies, thus helping us understand the inherently complex process of learning. The relationship between curriculum and learning theories is a very close one. Curriculum is essentially a roadmap for learning and as such focuses on competencies and skills that are important to learn. Learning theories are frameworks educators consider when designing a curriculum and applying it to teaching and learning. With a learning theory as a conceptual framework, curriculum and instruction can be structured around making learning most effective.

According to Coon and Mitter, personality is distinct from temperament. Temperament refers to the heredity aspects of the personality such as sensibility and typical mood (Coon, 2009, 414).

Operant methodology can be used to test theoretical problems and hypotheses through experimental arrangements (Brush, Overmier, 1985). Operant conditioning rejected speculation about the causes of behavior, and seeks to demonstrate experimentally in a direct current and historical determinants of behavior (Coon, Mitterer, 2009). The behavioral characteristics and their probability of occurrence are determined by environmental conditions, by events that precede or accompany the behavior, environmental events that change as a result of conduct and the previous experience of the body; within the context of this statement of conditioning operant behavior studies (Coon, Mitterer, 2009).

Discussion and Analysis

Operant Conditioning and Behaviorism

Behaviorism as a theory of learning that focuses on objectively observable behaviors and defines learning as the acquisition of new behavior through conditioning that occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorism was built upon the works of Ivan P. Pavlov, B. F. Skinner, J. B. Watson, and others. Having at least one person in the corner greatly reduce pressure to conform. If one can find at least one another person who sees things as others do, then they can be relatively secure in the oppositions of other's view points (Coon, Mitterer, 2009).

In this theory, there is no particular importance to emotional and physiological factors. The reinforcement theory is the basis of the work of Skinner on the prediction and control of behavior in applied areas of psychology, as programmed learning, always within the proper approach to experimental psychology (Kimble, 1967).

According to this theory, teaching is proposed as a reinforcement contingency program to modify student behavior. Knowledge is proposed to learn, it is understood that knowledge is acquired efficiently if the student is able to respond appropriately to issues raised on this knowledge. If the student answers correctly will provide a number of positive encouragements for him if he does not correctly give negative stimuli or not provided positive. This sequence is repeated many times as necessary until all responses are treated. Programmed learning as a sequence of small steps with a large number of reinforcements and a high frequency in the approach to them (Coon, Mitterer, 2009). Knowledge is divided into tasks or modules and the students must pass each of these modules to continue to the ...