Operant Conditioning and Skinners Method - 1158 Words

Operant Conditioning Introduction Operant conditioning is also referred to as instrumental conditioning and is reported as a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior. (Cherry, 2007) Operant conditioning was first examined by B.F. Skinner, a behaviorist and this is why it is referr3ed to as Skinnerian conditioning. (Cherry, 2007) Skinner held that internal thoughts and motivations could not be used in explaining behavior and that human behavior could be explained both by internal and external factors. I. Examples of Operant Conditioning Examples of Operant conditioning can be found in all areas of life such as children who complete homework and earn a reward from their parents or teacher or employees who complete projects and receive promotions or raises in pay. Cherry (2007) states that the promise of the rewards results in an increase in a specific behavior or alternatively the decrease in a specific and undesired behavior. Operant conditioning involves a voluntary response being followed by a reinforcing stimulus and a reinforcer is stated to be any stimulus that increases the behaviors frequency. In order to be a reinforce stimuli the stimuli is required to follow the response immediately and must be understood as being contingent upon the response. II. Components of Operant Conditioning The components of operantShow MoreRelatedVerbal Behavior and Verbal Response1328 Words   |  5 PagesSkinner, in ‘A review of B. F. Skinner’s verbal Behavior’ and ‘Selections from Science and Human Behavior’, discusses the idea of operant conditioning in human behavior, and functional analysis in human verbal behavior respectively. Both ideas seek to explain human behavior, whether in physical action or in verbal communication. Operant conditioning takes its root from Thorndike’s law of effect, dealing with reinforcing consequences that are contingent on a response (or specified behavior). FunctionalRead MoreThe Theory of Operant Conditioning1136 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ The Theory of Operant Conditioning PSY390 October 6, 2014 Introduction The study of human behavior by psychologists such as B.F. Skinner, Edward Thorndike, Ivan Pavlov, and Watson is fascinating. These five psychologists each have different theories on human behavior. There are similarities and differences in each of the theories. Ivan Pavlov’s classical conditioning theory, studied animals and formed the basis for behavioral psychology (Cherry, 2013). Edward Thorndike’sRead MoreClassical And Operant Conditioning And The Field Of Psychology997 Words   |  4 PagesHow have studies of classical and operant conditioning contributed to the field of psychology? In this essay I will outline the main principles of both operant and classical conditioning methods and discuss what both theories have contributed to the field of psychology and what they have taught us about the way in which some human behaviour occurs. Classical conditioning, also known as Pavlovian conditioning (Davis, S. F., Buskist, W. (2008). 21st century psychology: a reference handbook PageRead MoreSkinner And His Contribution On Behaviorism And Operant Conditioning1500 Words   |  6 Pagesof reinforcement (Myers, 2010). Skinner developed much of his work based from the law of effect by Edward Thorndike, who was also known as a philosopher. This research paper will focus on B.F. Skinner and his contribution on behaviorism and operant conditioning. This paper will provide an in-depth explanation on the concept and development of behavior analysis, B.F. Skinner was one of the most controversial intellectual figures of the late twentieth century. 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One of Skinners greatest scientific discoveries was â€Å"single reinforcement† which became sufficient for â€Å"operant c onditioning, the role of extinction in the discovery of intermittent schedules, the development of the method of shaping by successive approximation, and Skinners break with and rejection of stimulus-response psychology† (Iversen, 1992, p. 1318). According to Skinner’s theories, â€Å"Reinforcement does not strengthen the response instanceRead MoreOperant Conditioning by B. F Skinner1580 Words   |  7 Pagestheory of operant conditioning. B. F. skinner,(March 20, 1904 – August 18, 1990) is an American psychologist who believed that we do have such a thing as a mind, but that it is simply more productive to study observable behavior rather than internal mental events. As Skinners theory was based on the earlier work of Thorndike, he also believed that the best way to understand a behavior is to look at the causes of the action and its consequences. He called this approach operant conditioningRead MoreWatsons Classical Conditioning Research Essay996 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is Watson’s Classical Conditioning? Classical Conditioning was found by Dr. Ivan Pavlov. Watson’s research was influenced by Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning Theory. Watson made a research on children’s emotions using the Classical Conditioning model. According to Watson, love, fear, and anger are the three kinds of emotions inherited by humans (Hall 1988). He believed these emotions could be learned through conditioning. He formed his hypothesis and carried out an experiment. John BRead More B. F. Skinner Essay1590 Words   |  7 Pagesmotion machine, but it failed. He also read about animals. He collected toads, lizards, and snakes. He trained pigeons to do tricks after he saw them performing one year at a fair. Training the pigeons probably was where he got his ideas of operant conditioning. He attended Susquehanna High School just like his mother and father. In his graduating class there were only eight people including him. He was a very intellectual person. He reported that he really enjoyed school. Over the four years in highRead MoreBehavior Modification Essay example839 Words   |  4 Pagesthrough the application of social-learning principles. Assessment procedures focus on describing how an individual behaves, thinks, and feels in specific situations. Treatment methods are derived from the theories and findings of experimental psychology. These approaches also share a commitment to the use of scientific research methods to evaluate objectively the clinical utility of their procedures. Behavior-modification procedures have been applied successfully to a broad range of psychological, medical