...Operant Conditioning Paper Sarah Bartley PSY 390 July 19, 2015 Richard Codd Operant Conditioning Since humankind has been in existence learning has shaped behavior and allowed for survival. Conditioning has been part of that learning experience whether humans were aware of it or not. However, we do have the work of great researchers like Pavlov and Skinner to thank for the knowledge and terminology to understand and explain human learning behavior. This paper will define and describe operant conditioning, compare and contrast positive and negative reinforcement, offer a scenario in which operant conditioning is used to shape behavior, and provide a reinforcement schedule for said behavior Describe Operant Conditioning Operant conditioning is the term coined by B.F. Skinner in 1937, which describes thee method of shaping behavior through reinforcement (Staddon & Cerutti, 2003). An operant refers to an intentional action that affects the surrounding environment (McLeod, 2015). Conditioning is a type of learning that associates a consequence with a specific or intentional action. Olson and Hergenhahn (2013), define operant conditioning as, “increasing the rate with which a response occurs or the probability of a response by arranging the situation so that the occurrence of that response is followed by reinforcement. (p. 428). It is also referred to as Type R conditioning (Olsen & Hergenhahn, 2013). Basically operant conditioning shapes behavior by introducing...
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...Operant conditioning is a way to conditionally train a person or even an animal to make a set behavior you [Eliminate second person (you, your) in academic documents and avoid addressing the reader directly. Prefer third-person pronouns (he, she, they, it)] want completed. This proved to be possible by giving a positive or negative response to the set behavior wanted until the tested subject gets the intended behavior correct. In summary this manipulates the subject for a specific result. B.F Skinner also known as the creator of this study “believed that the mechanisms of learning are the same for all species” (Kiernan, fall 2013) [The citation for a direct quote needs the page number] . Skinner’s taught us [Use "we," "us," or "our" to mean yourself and coauthors, not general humanity (or yourself and the reader)] that any behavior can be accomplished if presented and taught properly through the rules of operant conditioning by simply punishing or reinforcing. Although Skinner was seen [The passive voice is a form of "be" (was) and a participle (seen). Over-use of the passive voice can make paragraphs officious and tedious to read. Prefer the active voice. For example, passive voice = The paper was completed on time. Active voice = the student completed the paper on time.] as the primary figure in this theory, he wouldn’t [Contractions are inappropriate in academic writing--write it out] have been able to [Wordiness: this phrase can be simplified to one word--"could"] accomplish...
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...INVESTIGATING THE AFFECT OF CLASSICAL AND OPERANT CONDITIONING ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF A SAMPLE OF RATS ABSTRACT This study investigated how different training sessions affected the behaviour of the common lab rat. It was hypothesised that the training, held within an operant chamber using classical and operant conditioning, would result in an observed change in behaviour of the rats. Results showed that the frequency of certain behaviours changed in direct response to the different training sessions conducted. These results supported the hypothesis. INTRODUCTION Humans live in close proximity to animals and depend on a wide range of species for work, research, food and fibre, entertainment, sport or as companions. By understanding how they learn and respond to reinforcement enables us to train them for desirable behaviour e.g. customs dogs trained to detect drugs, research animals trained to co-operate with handling or house-training a pet dog. Learning can be brought about in various ways, including classical and operant conditioning. The formation of an association between two stimuli is referred to as classical conditioning, a theory discovered in 1891 by the Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov (Staddon and Cerutti 2003). Classical conditioning has been successful in a wide range of species and response systems and is thought to be an adaptive trait in the natural environment (Domjan 2005). In contrast, operant conditioning, a theory conceived by B. F. Skinner in 1937,...
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...Animal Training at Sea World OPERANT CONDITIONING 1. Operant conditioning is the basis of animal training. It is a type of learning in which an animal learns (or, is conditioned) from its behaviors as it acts (operates) on the environment. In operant conditioning, the likelihood of a behavior is increased or decreased by the consequences that follow. That is, a behavior will happen either more often or less often, depending on its results. When an animal performs a particular behavior that produces a favorable consequence, the animal is likely to repeat that behavior. 2. Animals learn by the principles of operant conditioning every day. For example, woodpeckers find insects to eat by pecking holes in trees with their beaks. One day, a woodpecker finds a particular tree that offers an especially abundant supply of the bird's favorite bugs. The woodpecker is likely to return to that tree again and again. 3. Humans learn by the same principles. For example, consider the behavior of a child doing chores. Suppose a child voluntarily performs a chore, like cleaning the garage or washing the car. If the behavior is reinforced by positive attention such as praise, money, or some other reward, the child is likely to do additional chores on his own. If no positive attention were to follow, repeating that behavior would be less likely. 4. Animal trainers apply the principles of operant conditioning. If an animal performs a behavior that the trainer wants to see performed again, the...
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... Classical Conditioning There are two main explanations of how organisms learn. The first explanation is known as classical conditioning. The second explanation is known as operant conditioning. These two types of learning are exhibited in our everyday lives through our home, school, and school. Classical conditioning was discovered by Iran Petrovich Pavlov. He was originally a physiologist whose main focus was the digestive system (Anderman, 2009). His discovery was made during a study on the salivation of dogs when given food. Pavlov observed that the dogs began salivating at the sound of the scientist’s footsteps and at their appearance into the room (Anderman, 2009). This led Pavlov to study the phenomenon further. The experiments that Pavlov was originally observing were based on the set of unconditioned stimulus and its unconditioned response. What is meant by conditioned is that the response is automatic and based on instinct. To compliment this name the stimulus is known as the unconditioned stimulus (Anderman, 2009). With Pavlov's new observations a new set of stimulus and response was found. This new set is known as the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response. What is meant by conditioned response here is that the response was learned. The stimulus begins as neutral and causes no conditioned response. However, if the neutral stimulus can be associated with another stimulus, then it becomes a conditioned stimulus. Classical conditioning can be exemplified...
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...Effectiveness of Operant Conditioning Penny Bartz Operant conditioning has long been one of the most effective methods in the field of behavior modification, both in humans and in animals. Studies have shown there are five variables which can have a large impact on the successfulness of operant conditioning. (Kazdin, 2001) Studies show that time interval, shaping and chaining, primary and secondary reinforcement, schedules of reinforcement and extinction can help determine the effectiveness of operant conditioning. The time between the response and consequence is more effective when the time is faster. When the consequence is delayed the direct relationship between action and reward can be unclear, and reinforcement not as effective. Using shaping can also help to improve the effectiveness of operant conditioning. Each step reinforced during the shaping process can increase correct responses and the result of success increases. Primary and secondary reinforcement using primary sources, social, food, water, sex, also increases the effectiveness of the conditioning. Taking into consideration the schedules of reinforcement can also affect behavior. Both continuous and partial reinforcement can be used effectively, and taking into consideration the target behavior deciding on the best method can increase the success rate. When a behavior is reinforced using one of the partial reinforcement methods, fixed-interval, variable-interval, fixed- ratio, variable...
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...Operant conditiong is learning in which a voluntary response is strengthen or weakened, depending on its favorable or unfavorable consequences. (Feldman, 2010, 170) Psychologist B.F. Skinner conducted research that best show us how reinforcement became the central concept of operant conditioning. The theory behind why reinforcement beats punishment is that punishment has shown several disadvantages including the initial behavior may be replaced by one that is even less desirable. Prior to looking at this, you have to understand that basis for many of the most important kinds of human and animal learning is known as operant conditioning. “Operant conditioning is learning in which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened, depending on its favorable or unfavorable consequences”. (Feldman, 2010, 170) Reinforcement is known as the central concept of operant conditioning. “Reinforcement is the process by which a stimulus increases the probability that a preceding behavior will be repeated.” (Feldman, 2010, 171) Both reinforcement and punishment have two forms, they are negative and positive. “In both cases, positive means adding something, and negative means removing something.” (Feldman, 2010, 171) Positive reinforcement is rewarding for those who may perform well, this can show when someone receives a promotion at work for exemplary performance over other employees who do not put forth the extra effort. While on the other side of things, negative reinforcement can...
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...does Research describe Instrumental Conditioning? Ernestine Knight Learning and Cognition PSYC3500 Brian Uldall June 9, 2013 Statement of Purpose When first researched, Instrumental (operant) conditioning was regarded as a type of learning that involves the acquisition of emitted responses (i.e., responses, like a wink of the eye, that can occur in the absence of reliable or well-defined antecedent stimuli and are experienced as voluntary) (Kirsch and Lynn, 2004). Recently there has been more insight of Instrumental Conditioning. It is currently been described as Operant conditioning that is a method of learning that occurs through responses of changes of behavior. Through operant conditioning, there is an association is made between the behavior and a results that are encountered for that behavior. Statement of How Topic Factors into Personal and Professional goals The research of topic will increase my knowledge of how to expect and teach certain responses to behaviors. I will learn how the differences between positive and negative reinforcements. This research of information can be used on a personal level in my home with my children and family. Introduction Instrumental conditioning is seen as a type of learning in which organisms associate their own actions with consequences; behavior is strengthened if followed by being reinforced or it is diminished if followed by some type of punishment. Instrumental conditioning often involves operant behavior, as the organism's behavior...
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...Psychology Assignment 4 Task 44: Define the principles of Classical conditioning. The study undertaken by Ivan Pavlov is still today the most well known example of classical conditioning. After studying the digestive system of dogs in 1927, Ivan noticed that his dogs would salivate at the sight of the lab assistant bringing them food. Through the process of classical conditioning, soon the sight of the lab assistant alone was enough for the dogs to salivate. Pavlov believed that the dogs had learnt to expect food from the assistant by association; he then investigated his theory further by beginning to experiment with a neutral stimulus, in this case the sound of a bell. Pavlov sounded a bell as food was placed in front of the dogs, it did not take long for the dogs to produce saliva at the mere sound of the bell. The process of Classical Conditioning or Pavlovian conditioning as it is also known as works as follows: Stage 1 – Food in this experiment is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). The UCS equals salivation which is the unconditioned response (UCR). Salivation is an involuntary automatic response to a certain stimulus. This is a reflex controlled by the lower part of the brain; no learning is required to produce this response. At this stage before learning has taken place, the sound of a bell will cause no response or an irrelevant response from the dogs. Stage 2 – Acquisition is the initial stage of learning, after repeatedly pairing food with the sound of...
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...The thinking and creative mind- Behavior Modification Experimental report | Creating a behaviour using operant conditioning Creating a behaviour using operant conditioning ABSTRACT The study aims to increase a desired behavior using operant conditioning. The subject of this study is a female American staffy, four years of age and the desired behavior is sitting unasked when entering or leaving a house, when entering a car and before crossing roads. The subject was involved in a three-week study, one week observing the usual behavior and two weeks of reinforcing the desired behavior. The desired behavior was achieved before the two weeks of reinforcing were completed. It shows that the study was successful, although the subject cannot give feedback or rate their mood towards the succession. Introduction: Operant conditioning is a kind of learning in which an animal or human performs some behavior, and the following consequence (reward or punishment) increases or decreases the chance that the same behavior will be performed again. Enforcing operant conditioning takes learning and memory, Learning is defined as ‘the cognitive process of acquiring skills or knowledge’ such as learning how to sit or walk, memory is defined as ‘an organism's ability to store, retain, and recall information’ such as remembering the consequence of a behaviour. A previous case of conditioning is the case of Little Albert conducted by john Watson in which a nine month old infant was confronted...
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...addictions through operant conditioning and how phobias develop through classical conditioning. To understand how these conditions develop one must first define and understand the differences between classical and operant conditioning. By learning how these conditions are created will in turn help achieve the process of extinction this is a technique to help overcome phobias and addictions. Classical and operant conditioning is two types of behaviors in psychology. These two processes are very different, but they both result in learning. Classical conditioning has an impact on behaviorism that is a school of thought in psychology. Behaviorism is a theory that is learned through experiences in the environment. Classical conditioning involves an environmental stimulus that automatically triggers a response. Phobias are created through classical conditioning. An example of this would be if a snake bit someone as a child they might form a phobia of snakes. Operant conditioning is a method of learning that happens through punishments or reinforcements to increase or decrease someone’s behavior. There are two types of reinforcements; one is positive reinforcements with this the behavior is strengthened by a direct reward. For example with a child who is potty training which is given a sticker on the chart each time a child makes it to the potty. They will want to use the potty more, so they can get a sticker as a positive reinforcement. The second is negative reinforcements this is when...
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...change of behavior that results from previous experience with certain stimuli and responses. Operant Conditioning Operant conditioning is also called instrumental conditioning, is a kind of learning in which an animal or human performs some behavior, and the following consequence (reward or punishment) increases or decreases the chance that an animal or human will again perform that same behavior. The law of effect states that behaviors followed by positive consequences are strengthened, while behaviors followed by negative consequences are weakened. Shaping is a procedure in which an experimenter successively reinforcers behaviors that lead up to or approximately the desired behavior. Note: There is an important difference between a reward and a reinforcer in operant conditioning. • A reward is something, which has value to the person giving the reward, but may not necessarily be of value to the person receiving the reward. • A reinforcer is something, which benefits the person receiving it, and so results in an increase of a certain type of behavior. Skinner identified three types of responses or operants that can follow behavior. Neutral operants: Responses from the environment that neither increase nor decrease the probability of a behavior being repeated. Reinforces are any event that strengthens or increases the behavior it follows. There are two kinds of reinforcers. 1. Positive reinforcers are favorable events or outcomes that are presented after the behavior in order to...
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...Phobias and Addictions There two ways that one learns behaviors and actions, classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning revolves around the idea that one learns certain behaviors, whereas aberrant conditioning revolves around one naturally responding to stimuli. Classical conditioning leads to phobias by the way of learning. For example, if a dog bites someone, they might develop a fear of dogs. They might also become weary for their entire life and never be able to approach another dog without feeling immense fear that they might get bitten again. People do not generally develop fears when they have no prior, negative correlation between an object and the feeling of fear. Something must stimulate a person to evoke a feeling of fear. There are different phobias that can be excluded from classical conditioning as a reason behind the development of such phobias. Phobias that are not rationalized can include a fear of heights or fear of an inanimate object such as pickle. Just because someone is afraid of heights does not mean that have fallen from a great height, it is a non-rationalized fear. A fear of pickles does not mean that someone had to have had a bad experience about them; it just means that there is an unknown reason as to why they fear this object. There is no presence of classical conditioning apparent in these phobias. Extinction within classical conditioning refers to a process in which a classical conditioned response is weakened with the...
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...time that's when the children will pull out their toys from labeled cabinets. After I say play time is over and they all walk back to their desk and he will leave the toys all over the floor. I know of operant conditioning, where there is a relationship between the behaviors and consequences. Maybe if I use punishments to decrease their behavior; if he doesn't clean up, and reinforcements to continue the behavior; if he does clean his toys, the child will learn faster. I also considered classical conditioning at first, but that...
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...BUS520-Leadership and Organizational Dr. Leonardo R. Serrano TiAnquaneta Q Wilson It seems like Great Northern American has done a decent job of using learning concepts to improve salesperson performance they have been going at it for 35 years, after all, and are still competitive in the marketplace. It would appear that Joe Salatino has proven techniques that help incentivize people to generate sales for the company. The case mentioned that the company was faced with stiff competition from internet sellers. With the developments in the past decade of telecommuting arrangements, there may be threats from direct competitors that employ cheaper methods of direct selling. As President of the organization he is responsible to give direction to his employees. He needs to help them to understand the Company's mission and work towards it. Joe could do an analysis of the organizational culture of his own company with them. Anonymously or directly he could ask their employees what is the perception they have about the Company. After that ask what in their opinion may have generated this perception. Mr. Salatino can show how these perceptions ultimately influence the organization both positively and negatively. He could address the differences in the each individual personality, as people have different types of management, motivational issues, training, etc .So he could do an analysis of how perceptions and attributions that employees have on the Company align with it goals. He can show how...
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