Effects of operant conditioning in behavior

As a prominent behaviorist, Skinner introduced the concept of operant conditioning with the argument that observable behavior is more accessible to study development and reinforcement compared to internal processes as proposed by previous psychologists like Sigmund Freud. Operant conditioning theory evaluates behavior is acquired through reinforcements and punishment and how it influences learning based on the environment. Operant Conditioning Theory Skinner introduced the theory as a study of learning and behavior. Operant conditioning also known as instrumental conditioning refers to learning method that incorporates rewards and punishments in development and reinforcement of behavior. The process creates an association between behavior and consequences (Skinner, 1938). For example, when parents reward a child a cookie for good behavior in school or elimination of negative behavior through parental intervention such as when a child associate good academic performance with parental satisfaction because they no longer insist or push the child when they maintain good grades.

Skinner describes respondent behaviors as those that occur automatically and involuntarily which do not involve any learning. He also describes his study of operant behaviors which he terms as behaviors under conscious control (Ferster & Skinner, 1957). Operant behaviors are believed to be learned as a result of their consequences where learning involves an evaluation of the environment and the implications of the actions. According to Skinner, operant conditioning affects behavior through reinforcements and punishments. Also, operant conditioning fosters learning of behaviors through punishment. Punishment is defined as the presentation of outcomes which discourages or decreases the occurrence of an action. Punishment can also be positive or negative (Ferster & Skinner, 1957). According to Skinner, positive punishment involves application where unfavorable outcomes and events are presented to individuals to weaken responses and behaviors (Watson, 1913). Negative punishment involves removal such as the removal of the favorable results in an environment following a specific behavior.

Partial reinforcements include fixed ratio, fixed interval, variable ratio and variable interval (Skinner, 1938). Skinner created reinforcements schedules to examine the rate of reinforcements and determine how quickly and how health behaviors are learned. His findings on reinforcements indicate that when and how often behaviors are reinforced plays a critical role in the speed and strength of the intended reinforcement (Skinner, 1954). Thus, the main determinants of behavior reinforcement were frequency and timing. The analysis shows that the schedule and rate of the support is significant influencing when and how a new behavior is obtained, and an old behavior becomes modified using reinforcement. Thus, it leads to fast response rates but a slow rate of extinction. Types of reinforcements Positive reinforcements As a form of learning where consequences control behavior, positive reinforcements as discussed earlier increases the continuity of behavior as it is rewarded and encouraged.

The reinforcements include giving and receiving compliments rewards and discounts. Negative reinforcements It involves taking something spiteful away as a result of the occurrence of acceptable behavior (Skinner, 1938). The reinforcement occurs when the behavior has been strengthened as a result of stopping and avoiding an adverse condition. Punishment as a type of reinforcement causes a decrease in behavior. Positive reinforcement, therefore, subjects individuals to a repetition of the behavior in the future. When the environment decides to punish a particular behavior, it decreases its likelihood of reoccurrence in the future. Effectiveness of operant conditioning Skinner theory of operant conditioning is useful in learning behaviors and extinction of negative behavior. It has been influential in teaching primarily in the classroom, life skills and habits such as parenting skills as well as improvement of the workplace environment where it has increased employee productivity and satisfaction.

Positive behavior will be strengthened as the parents will reward the child when he stops the tantrums and should provide the needed attention of reinforce the newly learned behavior. With time the tantrums will become extinct after continuous positive reinforcement. Conclusion Operant conditioning by B. F. Skinner is useful in learning of behaviors through reinforcements and punishment. Skinner, B. F. Schedules of reinforcement. Thorndike, E. L. B. Psychology as the Behaviorist views it. Psychological Review, 20, 158–177.