SKINNER AND HARLOW

Compare and Contrast the approaches of Skinner and Harlow to investigating influences on behaviour

Compare and Contrast the approaches of Skinner and Harlow to investigating influences on behaviour

Introduction

The contribution regarding the behavioural application made by various authors for the academic purpose. However, there would be no doubt that BF Skinner and Harry F. Harlow was the main pioneer who generated set of principles and techniques to improve the quality of education. Their applications have greatly contributed to analysis and intervention of learning. Their research has contributed in the flied of learning, motivation and affection has major significance for general and child psychology. In this paper, we will compare the similarity in the works of Skinner and Harlow and contrasting by identifying differences in their approaches that influence on behaviour.

Discussion

Comparing Works of Skinner and Harlow

Skinner describes various sources of influence that led to psychology; one of them is behaviour of both animal and human. In this work, the focus was on operant conditioning theory of reinforcement which considered one of the most influential theories of learning. This theory explains the voluntary conduct of the body in relation to the environment based on a method experimentally. This means that before a stimulus, there is a voluntary response, which can be reinforced positively or negatively causing operant behaviour strengthened or weakened. It is always a contingent relationship. Skinner also considers learning by punishment and extinction of the reinforcements, as influencing behaviour. To illustrate this, we describe one of the experiments conducted by the Pennsylvania psychologist, called the "Skinner Box". As far as Harry F. Harlow theory focused on the human behaviour through the development of the social behaviour of the monkeys. His experiments consist of isolation of young rhesus monkeys, which demonstrated the importance of coaching in the early development of primates.

In addition to their scientific value, these works aim to shock public opinion to force awareness. These methods condemned by many animal advocates. His theory depends on the universal contact. Harlow's research suggested the importance of mother/child bonding. Not only does the child look to his/her mother for basic needs such as food, safety, and warmth, but he also needs to feel love, acceptance, and affection from the caregiver. His findings show some long-term psychological physical effects of delinquent or inadequate attentiveness to child needs.

This process repeated several times voluntarily, until the animal discover the fact that the lever rewarded with a reward, so this action repeated more often, leaving out those in which it rewarded. Thus, the reinforcement (food) is leading the animal to repeat the behaviour that at one time was accidental. This is a show clearly how operant conditioning. While, Harlow's famous wire/cloth “mother” i.e. monkey studies demonstrated that the need for affection created a stronger bond between mother and infant than did physical need. In his theory, he states the importance of closeness and affection which a child gets from mother, leads to go deeper than a need for ...