Abstract

Discipline is integral to the success and development of a child. A majority of teachers take this into consideration when deciding on what type of classroom environment they should set up. Operant conditioning promotes the use of methods of positive reinforcement among teachers when they are operating within the classroom environment. The most common results of operant conditioning are clearly visible positive change in the behavior of children. Moreover, operant conditioning also focuses on 'subtraction' strategies that aim to reduce the stimulus that motivates a certain type of behavior in an individual, discouraging him from repeating the action. Hence, the application of operant conditioning to the classroom setting and classroom behavior management are tremendous. This paper examines how operant conditioning can be used to stimulate students to behave in a desired manner.

Operant Conditioning and Classroom Behavior

Introduction

The term 'Operant Conditioning' refers to a method of learning which is aimed at modifying the behavior of an individual with the use of a range of consequences such as strength, frequency and form. Operant conditioning varies from classical conditioning mainly in its focus which is on modifying operant (voluntary) behavior. The operation of operant behavior is based on the factors that prevail in the surrounding environment whereas maintenance is mainly through identified consequences. Therefore, it starkly contrasts classical conditioning which strictly focuses on the conditioning of reflex (reflexive) behavior that is caused due to antecedent conditions.

Thesis Statement

Operant conditioning is a highly effective tool that can be used to control classroom behavior management and bring about a positive change in the behavior of students.

Discussion

The core tools used in operant conditioning are punishment and reinforcement and these can be either positive or negative. This means that they either delivered or withdrawn following a response (Hall & Broden, 1967, p. 467). Four distinct consequences are created as a result. However, there is also a fifth procedure known as extinction which applies when no changes in consequences are seen in the follow-up to a response. Therefore, the three core tools of operant conditioning are:

Reinforcement - an effect that results in the occurrence of a behavior more frequently

Punishment - an effect that results in the occurrence of a behavior with a less frequently

Extinction - A situation that is caused due to a lack of consequence following an order

Four procedures of operant conditioning

Operant conditioning revolves around four distinct procedures which are either classified as positive or negative in nature. The use of the terms 'positive' and 'negative' does not, in any distinct way, refer to their popular meaning. Instead, it related to the addition and subtraction of either reinforcement or punishment (Hall & Broden, 1967, p. 467). The four procedures used in operant conditioning are:

Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement occurs when a certain response leads to a reward or stimulus that serves as an appetite to increase the frequency of that behavior (Hall et al. 1968, p. 9).

Negative reinforcement

Negative reinforcement occurs when a certain response leads to the removal of an aversive stimulus with the purpose of increasing the frequency of that ...