Individual Programmatic Assessment: Operant Conditioning Paper (Essay Sample)

Operant Conditioning
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Operant Conditioning
Introduction
Psychology primarily deals with the study of the human behavior and mind. It embraces all components of the human experience from human development to the functions of the brain and to the actions of nations. The operant conditioning theory was developed by B.F Skinner. His work was based on the effect theory developed by Edward Thorndike. Skinner in his theory identified the basic significant principles of learning which he based on several experiments he conducted on rats and pigeons (Olson & Hergenhahn 2013). He developed an explanation as to why people change their behaviors or learn new behaviors from the experiments. He inferred that repetitive and continuous patterns of reinforcement build and shape behavior and described the process as operant conditioning. Analyzing while comparing the negative and positive reinforcement in the operant conditioning helps in gaining an explanation of their necessity and significance of operant conditioning. Positive and negative reinforcement are both essential in operant conditioning, however, one form is more significant and effective than the other form. This paper seeks to discuss the operant conditioning theory. Further, it will provide a comparison between positive and negative reinforcement. Furthermore, it will determine the most effective and significant form of reinforcement with explanations. Moreover, a case scenario of how to apply the theory in real life to change behavior will also be provided. Finally, a reinforcement schedule on the selected behavior will be given.
Operant Conditioning Theory
Skinner developed the theory of operant conditioning in 1937 with his primary aim being to enunciate how living organisms gained learned traits that they portray or exhibit. The theory emphasizes the use of reinforcement as a motivator or punisher to improve or demean the likelihood of a trait or behavior. Olson & Hergenhahn (2013) states that it is a method or process of acquiring behavior and mainly occurs through punishment or reward for the behavior of an organism. Any individual or organism primarily gains behavior by either punishment or through reward. To gain the reward or the punishment the leaner has to extensively and actively engage in performing a particular type of behavior. The behavior as well as the resulting outcome of the behavior is the center point of focus in operant conditioning. It therefore means that there is a connection between the behavior and the outcome or consequence of the desired behavior. According to Skinner he believed that continuous reinforcement shapes the behavior of an organism and depicts what it will be (Coon et al 2010). Furthermore, he argued that reinforcement manipulate or control behavior and therefore to condition a behavior there must be some degree of reinforcement. Based on the portrayed behavior, reinforcement can be either a punishment or a motivator. The theory therefore, primarily explains the process of how organisms acquire their traits or learned behaviors that they portray.
Compare and contrast positive and negative reinforcement
The main role of reinforcement in operant conditioning is mainly to either improve or decrease the chances of a behavior occurring again. It is regarded as an essential in the process of learning as well as in operant conditioning. Reinforcement is considered a tool that positively or negatively drives behavior. A positive reinforcement results in a desirable consequence in behavior. A desirable behavior strengthens or initiates a desirable positive outcome. However, when a negative reinforcement takes place, repetitive behavior is instilled to remove an adverse stimulus, and the anticipated behavior strengthens when the negative behavior is gotten rid of (Coon et al. 2010). Typically, a positive reinforcement takes place by constantly reinforcing a positive behavior that precedes a particular behavior. On the other hand, a negative reinforcement aims at removing a negative behavior on a particular behavior. Therefore, both negative and positive reinforcement increases the chances of reoccurrence of a trait or behavior that follows a consequence.
Effective Reinforcement
Based on the theory, positive reinforcement is considered more effective and efficient than negative reinforcement. This is because a positive reinforcement results in a positive and improved emotional effect. Furthermore, it identifies an anticipated trait or behavior and the outcomes of a desired behavior. While to implement a negative reinforcement it involves first the introduction of the negative stimulus that is between the response and the operant. This is because the effectiveness of negative reinforcement is pegged on the withdrawal of the negative or averse stimulus. To remove a negative stimulus, it is important to introduce a form of punishment in the (Olson & Hergenhahn 2013).. Despite negative reinforcement being relatively effective, Skinner did not entirely advocate for negative reinforcement because it only lasted as long as it was enforced. It is no guarantee that punishment will result to the anticipated or desired behavior. It is therefore, clear that a positive reinforcement is more effective in inducing a desirable behavior.
Operant Conditioning Scenario
Most parents always have the responsibility of grooming their children’s behavior. They have the opportunity to implement operant conditioning in building and shaping the children’s behavior. To instill best behaviors and better grades of their children while in school parents have to implement a form of punishment or reward to their children. A reward, for example, can be giving off some allowances if the children attain and excel in their class work or no...