OPERANT CONDITIONING

“Operant Conditioning Project”



[Name of the Class]

Table of contents

Operant Conditioning1

Punishment2

Example2

Ethical issues3

Negative punishment3

Example3

Ethical issues3

Positive reinforcement4

Example4

Ethical issues4

Negative reinforcement5

Example5

Ethical issues5

References6

“Operant Conditioning Project”

Operant Conditioning

In psychology, operant conditioning is a form of learning in which the result (the reinforcing stimulus) is contingent on the behavior that occurs. Operant conditioning involves the execution of behaviors that operate on the environment based on the consequences (outcomes). In general terms, the behavior that is favorable results in a favorable outcome strengthening the behavior's tendency to be repeated (Cole, M.R. 1990). Operant conditioning is an associative learning that has to do with the development of new behaviors in terms of their consequences, not the association between stimuli and reflex behaviors that exist in classical conditioning. The principles of operant conditioning are developed by BF Skinner, who had an inspiration from the research of Pavlov and Edward L. The conditioning process is also famously cited by the term of instrumental conditioning, which is more descriptive. When first constrained in the boxes, the cats took a long time to escape from each of the cages (Skinner, B.F. 1953).

Operant conditioning, sometimes called instrumental conditioning or instrumental learning, was first extensively studied by Thorndike, (1932). Thorndike's most famous work investigated the behavior of cats trying to escape from various home-made puzzle boxes. When first constrained in the boxes, the cats took a long time to escape from each of the cages. With time and experience, however fruitless responses occurred less frequently and successful responses occurred more quickly. This was enabling the cats to escape in lesser and lesser time over successive trials. In operant conditioning, the behavior is contingent to its punishing and/or rewarding consequences, in contrast to the natural reflexes associated with classical conditioning. In other words, the behavior is not part of the natural repertoire of the individual but is acquired (learned) through reward and punishment.

Punishment

Punishment is the form of conditioning that reduces the tendency of behavior from occurring. It allows for the reduction of the tendency of undesired behavior from happening. Punishment is of two types depending on the nature of the consequences, it can be either negative, or positive.Positive punishment

Positive punishment is the withdrawal of a desirable or positive (stimulus) consequence (outcome) to reduce the tendency of undesired behavior from occurring. The consequence is negative as it removes a positive element from the equation, and discourages the individual from repeating the behavior (Skinner, B.F. 1953).

Example

To elaborate the concept we can use the example of a child considering that positive-punishment is the withdrawal of a positive consequence to reduce the tendency of undesired behavior from occurring. If a student does badly in school, his parents can remove his privileges (which is something desirable to the child) of watching TV, which is to discourage the undesirable behavior of the child (doing bad is school).

Ethical issues

The problem with positive punishment is that it can make the person (child) has a bad or negative impression regarding the person who is applying the punishment. The act or removing a desirable stimulus can appear to be cruel, and not acceptable ...