Changing of Behaviors (Coursework Sample)

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Application of Heuristic and operational conditioning in changing of behaviors
In psychology, heuristics refers to the efficient and uncomplicated rules that learnt through the evolution process. These rules explain how various individuals make decisions and come up with conclusion or judgments, and solve problems with limited options. On the other hand, Operational conditioning refers to the process that tries to change an individual or a group’s behavior through the use of negative or positive reinforcement.
Operant conditioning helps an individual understand the relationship that exists between a particular behavior and its consequences. This paper will focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of using of both operational conditioning and principles of heuristic thinking. In addition, this paper discusses whether the above-mentioned methods are positive approaches for individuals and the society at large to modify behaviors.
According to the article written by Amy Sutherland in the New York Times, operational conditioning is effective and efficient since through the use of both the negative and positive reinforcement, Amy managed to change some of the annoying behaviors for the better. The reason operational conditioning is efficient and effective is because the methodology used does not involve very complex rules and procedures in order to achieve the results.
Operational conditioning is a good way to change the individual behaviors because it involves taking time to explain the actions of various individuals in the society. For example in Amy’s article, she took time to understand her husband’s behaviors in order to help him change. Understanding the individual’s behaviors is an essential component that helps change the individual’s behaviors permanently. Therefore, operational conditioning is the perfect way of changing the individuals’ behaviors since it perfectly changes them through simple steps that utilize the right kind of reinforcements.
Operational conditioning involves use of the right kind of reinforcement in order to change individuals’ behaviors. These reinforcements are designed to help the individual learn the desired traits and permanently adopt them. The fact that an individual undergoes a learning process makes operant conditioning a perfect way to modify the individual’s behaviors for the better.
On the other hand, Heuristic devices are excellent ways to alter an individuals or groups behavior since it involves the use of real world information and studies in which real people make real judgments. The fact that heuristic thinking tries to explain how human beings make decisions, choices or estimates u...