...Operant Conditioning B.F Skinner based his work on the work of Edward Thorndike who developed the law of effect theory (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2013). Through his work Skinner went on to identify fundamental principles of learning, based on experiments with pigeons and rats. From these experiments, Skinner developed an explanation as for how humans learn behaviors or change behaviors, and went on to infer that patterns of reinforcement shape behavior, which is operant conditioning. Comparing and contrasting positive and negative reinforcement in operant conditioning gives an understanding of how both are a necessity in operant conditioning. Both positive and negative reinforcement are a necessity in operant conditioning; one form of reinforcement is more effective than the other. Several reasons exist to why one form of reinforcement is more effective than the other. A given scenario can show how to apply operant conditioning to shape behavior and how the creation of a reinforcement schedule can apply to a certain selected behavior. B. F. Skinner developed the “term” operant conditioning in 1937 (Staddon& Cerutti, 2003). Skinner's theory of operant conditioning explains how organisms acquire learned behaviors that they exhibit. The main focus of operant conditioning is to use reinforcement as a reward or punishment to increase or decrease the likelihood of behavior (Staddon & Cerutti, 2003). Operant conditioning is a means or method of learning, which occurs through...
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...Classical and Operant Conditioning BEH/225 Ah’Nonda Bates March 28, 2014 Classical and Operant Conditioning Two behavior modification techniques important to behavioral psychology are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning and operant conditioning are both types of learning processes, but each with different focuses. Classical conditioning was developed by Ivan Pavlov. Ivan Pavlov contributed to the world of psychology through his study of behaviorism. His development of classical conditioning began through his experiments known as Pavlov’s Dogs. In these experiments, Pavlov studied classical conditioning, learning through association between environmental stimulus and natural occurring stimulus. Classical conditioning included four main principles: the unconditioned stimulus, the unconditioned response, the conditioned stimulus, and the conditioned response. An example of this type of learning process would be a person’s reaction to a cold medicine. The subject drinks the cold medicine and immediately becomes sick to their stomach and vomits due to having the flu. Over time, the subject becomes nauseated just at the sight of the cold medicine. The flu is the unconditioned stimulus, vomiting is the unconditioned response, the cold medicine is the controlled stimulus, and the nausea is the controlled response. Operant conditioning is a learning process that was developed by B.F. Skinner. B.F. Skinner also contributed through...
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...Individual Programmatic Assessment Operant Conditioning Individual Programmatic Assessment: Operant Conditioning PSY/390 August 3, 2015 Individual Programmatic Assessment: Operant Conditioning Psychologists and scientists have been studying from the very beginning the concept of learning, and the several different ways that humans and animals can retain, access and store information. Many theories are linked with learning; these theories have their disadvantages, advantages and specific characteristics which try to clarify the ways human minds function when attempting to learn. One of these theories was established by behaviorist psychologist B. F. Skinner. Skinner after experimenting with pigeons and rats was able to identify a series of important fundamental ides of learning. This theory is called Operant Conditioning, which is also recognized as Instrumental Conditioning or even Skinnerian conditioning. The theory of operant conditioning Operant conditioning is a learning method that occurs through the presentation of rewards and punishments as ways to produce the wanted behavior. Skinner explained that the fundamental motivations for a determined behavior did not derivate from an internal source, such as thoughts or feelings, but from an external source, like the preceding circumstances or the posterior consequences to the behavior. Skinner once said that “we are what we have been reinforced for being”, and this affirmation is a perfect explanation of his theory...
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...and Operant Conditioning. Both Styles allow individuals to perform experiments in which we find out what works, why it works, and the possible changes and outcomes that may be applied as a result. In classical conditioning, a stimulus that already leads to a response is replaced by a different stimulus. In operant conditioning a behavior is picked out and either reinforced or punished to make it more or less common. In laymen’s terms it acts to modify or replace the stimulus that leads to a given response, and the other to modify or refine a response (Psychology 5e, 2010). Classical Conditioning is a technique used in the change and adaption of a specific behavior. It is the naturally occurring stimulus that is paired with a defined response. A neutral stimulus is then paired with the naturally occurring stimulus. The goal is to have the neutral stimulus evoke the response without the need of the naturally occurring stimulus. The two functions become the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response. The classical conditioning model of behaviorism is based upon the psychological mechanism of association. Classical conditioning functions through conditioning trials. This is where an unconditioned stimulus is repeatedly paired with a neutral stimulus to achieve the desired effect. Operant Conditioning is a different technique involved in behavior modification. This technique is used to change the probability of behavior reoccurring. The process of operant conditioning...
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...Tony E. McCaffity PSY390 Learning and Cognition Individual Programmatic Assessment: Operant Conditioning October 27, 2014 Describe the theory of Operant Conditioning The theory of Operant Conditioning is developed the behaviorist B. F. Skinner. Operant Conditioning according to Skinner is based on the observing the causes of the action and its consequences. Skinner’s used this approach to study observable behavior instead of the internal mental activity. Though his study Skinner, found that behavior reinforced usually becomes repeated, and reinforced behavior will often extinguishes. Skinner believed that learning is a function of overt behavior and changes in an individual’s behavior is a result of events that occur in the individual’s environment (Morris &Maisto, 2005). B.F. Skinner focused on the observable behavior and how that act related to experimental conditions. From his studies Skinner developed several theories relating to operant conditioning. The changing of a behavior by-way of certain types of reinforcements after a response is achieved is referred to as operant conditioning. “In operant conditioning, the emphasis is on behavior and its consequences; with operant conditioning, the organism must respond in such a way as to produce the reinforcing stimulus. The principles of operant conditioning apply to a variety of situations (Olson &Hergenhahn, 2009, p. 76). According to Olson &Hergenhahn 2009, behavior can be...
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...Tony E. McCaffity PSY390 Learning and Cognition Individual Programmatic Assessment: Operant Conditioning October 27, 2014 Describe the theory of Operant Conditioning The theory of Operant Conditioning is developed the behaviorist B. F. Skinner. Operant Conditioning according to Skinner is based on the observing the causes of the action and its consequences. Skinner’s used this approach to study observable behavior instead of the internal mental activity. Though his study Skinner, found that behavior reinforced usually becomes repeated, and reinforced behavior will often extinguishes. Skinner believed that learning is a function of overt behavior and changes in an individual’s behavior is a result of events that occur in the individual’s environment (Morris &Maisto, 2005). B.F. Skinner focused on the observable behavior and how that act related to experimental conditions. From his studies Skinner developed several theories relating to operant conditioning. The changing of a behavior by-way of certain types of reinforcements after a response is achieved is referred to as operant conditioning. “In operant conditioning, the emphasis is on behavior and its consequences; with operant conditioning, the organism must respond in such a way as to produce the reinforcing stimulus. The principles of operant conditioning apply to a variety of situations (Olson &Hergenhahn, 2009, p. 76). According to Olson &Hergenhahn...
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...Phobias and Addictions Paper Psy/300 4/26/14 Phobias and Addictions Paper Introduction Several individuals develop phobias or addictions in their lifetime. Phobias are an illogical fear that is of no danger to anyone else. Phobias are developed through classical conditioning. According to Barlett (2013) “addiction is defined as the need for and use of a habit forming substance despite knowledge that the substance is harmful” (p. 349). Additions can be developed through operant conditioning. Phobias and addictions are different forms of behaviors just as classical and operant conditioning are responses learn responses. Extinction is also a form of classical conditioning. Both classical and operant conditioning differ in how an individual responds. Phobias and Addictions Phobias are human developed fears. They are fears seem irrational or harmless to other individuals. Phobias can be developed through classical conditioning according to Kowaski and Westen (2011) “In classical conditioning, an environmental stimulus leads to a learned response, through pairing of an unconditioned stimulus with a previously neutral conditioned stimulus” (p. 169). An environmental stimulus anything in an individual’s surroundings that may affect them. A neutral conditioned stimulus is when a response does not happen automatically. This means that an environment that may not affect others has the potential to leave a person frightened based on a negative experience. For example, if a woman...
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...Phobias and Addictions Chantel Billingsley PSY/300 May 30, 2014 Brian Hawkins Abstract This paper provides a broad overview of phobias and addictions. The difference between classical conditioning and how it relates to phobias will be dicussed, as well as operant conditioning and how it develops into addictions. Distinguishing between classical and operant conditioning, will show the differences between the two. I will cover what extinction means and how it is achieved in both types of conditioning. "Phobia" means "morbid fear" in greek (What is Phobia, 2014). Fear is a natural response to a genuine danger. Phobias are the emotional and physical reactions to feared objects or situations; this fear becomes irrational and excessive. Feelings of horror, panic and terror may occur. Reactions become automatic and uncontrollable, taking over a person's thoughts and sometimes causing physical symptoms. These symptoms can include rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling and overwhelming desire to avoid the feared object or situation. There are three major categories of phobias. First category called specific phobias focuses on certain objects, animals, people and situations. Some of the most recognized phobias fall under this category; the fear of heights (acrophobia), the fear of spiders (arachnophobia) and the fear of enclosed spaces(claustrophobia). The second major category is the fear of open spaces (agoraphobia). Most individual...
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...phobias and addictions in relation to classical and operant conditioning. I will research and explore how phobias can be developed through classical conditioning, and how addictions can be developed through operant conditioning. I will also explain what extinction means in psychology and how it is achieved in both classical and operant conditioning. The first thing you need to know is what exactly a phobia is. A phobia is an uncontrollable fear of an object or situation that is unreasonable and can develop in many ways; one of these ways is through conditioning. People have fears all the time, but a phobia affects a person’s daily life. Phobias for some people make it to where they become reclusive, or they cannot leave the comfort of their own homes, or their safe place. There are two main types or categories of phobias; they are specific phobias and social phobias. A specific phobia is an uncontrollable fear of a specific thing or a specific stimulus. There are animal phobias where a person is afraid of a certain animal or insect, for example the fear of spiders is called arachnophobia. There are environmental phobias like a fear of storms or heights. There are phobias of medical procedures as well as situational phobias like small spaces or flying. A social phobia is an uncontrollable fear of a particular situation such as giving a presentation in front of a large crowd or going to a party. Classical conditioning can be used to create a phobia or to help to get rid...
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...Operant Conditioning Paper Operant conditioning is very common in society today. Most people are unaware that they are using it throughout their everyday encounters. There are many different ways to enforce operant conditioning. In this paper we will describe the theory of operant conditioning, compare and contrast positive and negative reinforcement, determine which form of reinforcement is most effective and why, select a scenario where you could apply operant conditioning to shape behavior, and create a reinforcement schedule for the selected behavior. Many people go throughout their lifetime applying psychological concepts such as operant conditioning and they are completely unaware of it. Operant conditioning is simply a method used to enforce punishment and reward to achieve a certain behavior. B.F Skinner was the famous behaviorist that believed this form of conditioning was the most successful. If you ever had a dog from the beginning stages of its life you know that training a puppy is a lot of work. In order to do so successfully, you would need to shape the puppies behavior using a punishment or reward method in order to housebreak the puppy. If you wanted the puppy to never jump on the couch, every time the puppy did you could enforce a reward or punishment to achieve that wanted behavior. By doing this, you would be using operant conditioning (Cherry, 2014). When applying operant conditioning, you have a choice of using positive or negative reinforcement. According...
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...Learning Experience Paper Learning Experience Paper Introduction Psychology has become interesting to me due to my current class of Intro to Psychology. In this paper, I will be discussing my learning experiences with the perspective of using classical and operant conditioning. I will also discussing how using cognitive-social learning theory could have occurred. Learning a fear We all learn to be afraid of something or things in our lives. These fears can be learned at a young age and throughout our lives. However, these fears can also be unlearned over time. I learned at a young age to fear or dislike eating any kind of fish or food that was able to “swim”, sea foods. At the age of seven, my sister and I were placed in a foster home. This foster home had specific rules that I did not understand back then but now as an adult with children I do, to an extent. According to (Carpenter, 2013), Classical conditioning is learning through involuntarily paired associations. This occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes paired with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. In regards to classical conditioning, my fear of eating fish or sea foods can be traced back to when I was in a foster home at age seven. One night for dinner, my foster mom made a fish dinner. Growing up I was always taught to eat all of my food on my plate that was just what we did. However, this particular night I could not do this. I was always one to try new things...
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...Classical Conditioning Classical conditioning, created by Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, is a theory based on experiments performed on dogs. Classical conditioning is a way to explain how some of a person’s behavior is learned. This theory also offers the possibility to change a previously learned behavior and modify that behavior. Classical conditioning also teaches new behaviors such as training a dog new tricks or potty training toddlers. Classical conditioning changed how science viewed behavior and that any behavior can be changed or modified. Classical Conditioning Theory Pavlov theory of classical conditioning began when he was studying the condition of reflex at the age of fifty (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009). During Pavlov’s reflex experements, he discovered that the dogs would begin salivating at the sight of food. Pavlov named this occurance the “psychic” relfex (Olson & Hergenhahn 2009). By using the dog’s response of salivating to the presentation of food, Pavlov created the classical conditioning theory. He noticed that when it was time for the dog to eat, he would begin salivating. Pavlov began a new experiment by introducing the sound of a bell before the dog was given his food. After some time, the dog began to salivate at the sound of the bell and not the sight or smell of the food. A conditioned response was formed when the dog began salivating at the sound of the bell. Before the conditioning, the dog would only salivate at the sight of food. The result...
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...possibly be caused by the age old argument of what the media has given society as entertainment? Either way the coin is flipped something will have a significant influence the way an individual will act. This is what researchers call conditioning. Classical conditioning is a learned process that is given in response to an outside stimulus or the thought of the stimulus. John B. Watson conducted an experiment on a nine month old boy known as “Little Albert”. Watson wanted to instill fear of the rat within the small child. When the child reached for the white rat, Watson would in turn hit a metal bar creating a loud noise. The noise would in turn scare the child and cause him to cry. After presenting the child with the rat and hitting the metal bar in his presence the child began to cry at the sight of the furry creature. This conditioning in turn caused the child to fear other white furry objects (Plucker, N.A.). Due to the “Little Albert” experiment there is proof that phobias can be caused by classical conditioning. After the fact that the loud noise was no longer accompanying the appearance of the white rat the child was still scared of the small creature. A method known as extinction was discovered that could weaken the effects of classical conditioning. Extinction is “the diminishing of the conditioned response when the unconditioned stimulus no longer follows the conditioned stimulus” (Griggs, 2008, p. 118). This means that the loud noise (conditioned stimulus) would be introduced...
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...Operant Conditioning Pamela Combs PS124: Introduction to Psychology Kaplan University June 9, 2014 Operant conditioning is a method of learning base upon a system of rewards and punishments to change behavior. In other words, psychologist use positive and negative reinforcement or positive and negative punishment to change behavior using a basic cause and effect method. Psychologist Edward L. Thorndike was the first to study operant behavior and was later expanded on by psychologist B. F. Skinner. Skinner was a behaviorist that believed that to understand behavior you must look at the causes of actions, and its consequences. Skinner’s theory explains how we acquire the range of learned behaviors we display each and every day. Two of the four components used in operant conditioning are positive and negative reinforcement, which is used to increase a desired behavior. Positive reinforcement is defined in our text and there is really no better way to explain it, as the strengthening of a response by presenting a typically pleasurable stimulus after the response. (Stangor, 2010, p. 204). An example of using positive reinforcement is that I gave my child a prize after he got a good grade in his class. Another example is that I received praise for doing a good job at work. Ethical concerns when using this method is one might come to expect a reward for the certain desired behavior. Negative reinforcement is defined as the strengthening of a response by removing a typically...
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...class, has an assignment of writing a paper regarding phobias and addictions. It includes the meanings and the differences between classical conditioning and operant conditioning. The paper explains what phobias are as compared to addictions and how each of them affects behavior in individuals. It also explains what classical conditioning means to phobias as well as what operant conditioning means to addictions. Phobias and Addictions Every person is in one way or another, conditioned by either operant or classical conditioning. Phobias develop through classical conditioning, whereas addictions develop through operant conditioning. The classical conditioning theory involves learning a new behavior via the process of association, (McLeod, 2012). Operant conditioning is the other type of conditioning whereas an individual learns through a reward system. It is more or less association made between behavior and consequence of that behavior. Phobias and addictions develop through these two types of conditioning. Phobias develop through classical conditioning and addictions through operant conditioning. Through the past decades, psychologists studied these two relationships to develop a more understanding of these emotional disorders. Phobias and addictions are negative behaviors and usually come from classical conditioning or operant conditioning. Phobias happen out of a fear of something and addictions happen because an individual becomes controlled by an activity or habit. People...
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