...A Positive Reinforcement is described as a pleasing stimulus being presented. Such as telling your child that they did a good job for doing well on a test or quiz they done. A Positive Punishment is described as an unpleasing stimulus, or negative stimulus being presented. This is similar to Positive Reinforcement, where you are giving a stimulus, but in this case it is not a stimulus one would want to receive. We can use the same example in this situation, like telling your child that they did not do so well on a quiz or test so you would give them a look. A Negative Reinforcement is when an unpleasant stimulus is removed. An example of Negative Reinforcement would be a child doing his or her homework when they get home, so that their parents...
Words: 345 - Pages: 2
...Behavior Change Behavior Change with Positive and Negative Reinforcements Vickie Christian, Tiffany Smith, Natasha Butcher, Rochelle Dial University of Phoenix There are several forms of operant conditioning that can be used to change a person’s behavior. The four forms are positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and omission training. Positive reinforcement is the use of a stimulus to make a certain behavior response increase. A good example of this would be that when you rub a cat on its back it will make a purring sound; the purring is the positive reinforce. If you want the same results the next time then you must rub it in the same manner. Negative reinforcement is when you take something away from a person to increase a behavior. For instance, if your child has a chore of doing the dishes and you tell that child that if they say please and thank you they will not have to do them, then in order to avoid the dreaded chore of the dishes they will continue to give you the behavior you are looking for. Punishment is when you decrease a behavior response by an adverse stimulus. An example of this would be yelling at a child for doing something they know they should not be doing. Omission training is removing the stimulus to get a certain behavior. An example of this would be to take away a television that the child might use as a night light for not going to bed when they are supposed to. There are primary reinforcers and secondary reinforcers. The primary...
Words: 2319 - Pages: 10
...Behavior Change with Positive and Negative Reinforcements Vickie Christian, Tiffany Smith, Natasha Butcher, Rochelle Dial University of Phoenix There are several forms of operant conditioning that can be used to change a person’s behavior. The four forms are positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and omission training. Positive reinforcement is the use of a stimulus to make a certain behavior response increase. A good example of this would be that when you rub a cat on its back it will make a purring sound; the purring is the positive reinforce. If you want the same results the next time then you must rub it in the same manner. Negative reinforcement is when you take something away from a person to increase a behavior. For instance, if your child has a chore of doing the dishes and you tell that child that if they say please and thank you they will not have to do them, then in order to avoid the dreaded chore of the dishes they will continue to give you the behavior you are looking for. Punishment is when you decrease a behavior response by an adverse stimulus. An example of this would be yelling at a child for doing something they know they should not be doing. Omission training is removing the stimulus to get a certain behavior. An example of this would be to take away a television that the child might use as a night light for not going to bed when they are supposed to. There are primary reinforcers and secondary reinforcers...
Words: 2314 - Pages: 10
...modifications on behavior. In addition, operant conditioning a “consequence is made contingent upon a behavior” (Operant Conditioning, 2004, para. 2). There are two routes to go when replacing or conditioning a behavior. The reinforcements can either be positive or negative. A multitude of studies have been conducted to determine whether positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement are more effective. Operant conditioning can be applied in many circumstances to shape behavior. Operant Conditioning The modification of behavior can come about through several methods of conditioning. For example, operant conditioning is one method that uses unassociated stimuli and reinforcements to shape behavior. In addition, Staddon and Cerutti (2003) state, “operant conditioning is the study of reversible behavior maintained by reinforcement schedules” (para. 1). “Perhaps the easiest way to view operant conditioning is to regard it as a set of circumstances under which new responses that are within an organism's volitional repertoire come to be strengthened by contingent reinforcement” (Operant Conditioning, 2009, para. 1). The theory of reinforcement has demonstrated to be a potent mechanism in behavior conditioning (Operant Conditioning, 2009). The strong force of reinforcement is the base of operant conditioning. There are countless uses for operant conditioning. For example, an individual can use operant conditioning to train pets, and to motivate children. Speaking in simple terms, behavior...
Words: 1219 - Pages: 5
...(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 or by reward and punishment for an organism’s behavior (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2013). Basically, a learner receives either reward...
Words: 1035 - Pages: 5
...naturally occurring behavior is emitted, reinforcement can strengthen the future existence of that behavior. Operant Conditioning was the dominant perspective in American psychology from the 1930s through the 1950s. B.F. Skinner, the mastermind behind the operant conditioning theory “argued that creating pleasing consequences to follow specific forms of behavior would increase the frequency of that behavior. He demonstrated that people will most likely engage in desired behaviors if they are positively reinforced for doing so; that rewards are most effective if they immediately follow the desired response; and that behavior that is not rewarded, or is punished, is less likely to be repeated.” Epstein, R. (ed). 1980. Positive and Negative Reinforcement Positive reinforcement is the accumulation of a positive, interceding variable among produced actions and a reaction which makes the future probability of that response increase; equally, negative reinforcement is the elimination of a negative, interceding variable among produced actions and a reaction which makes the future probability of that response increase. The healthiest and most powerful types of reinforcement involve time and attention rather than items. For instance praise along with acknowledgement is a healthier reinforcer than money or material items. Effective Reinforcement In the instance of positive and negative reinforcement; positive reinforcement is usually more effective. It is as simple...
Words: 802 - Pages: 4
...that involves behavior to be controlled by negative or positive consequences and happens with rewards or punishments. With operant conditioning we see how certain consequences have a relationship with our behaviors. B.F. Skinner believed that we should not look at the way we think or the things that motivate us to understand behavior, he believed that we had to look and pay attention to those external things that we were able to observe to understand behavior. In operant conditioning there is positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement. A positive reinforcement happens when a behavior is strengthened because of a positive condition. A negative reinforcement happens with a behavior is strengthened because of something stopping to avoid a negative condition. Positive and Negative Reinforcement Positive reinforcement is reinforcing a certain stimulus so that a behavior has a higher chance of being repeated again in the future. When a positive outcome happens after a certain behavior the behavior is more than likely going to happen again in the future; this is also if there is a reward after the behavior it strengthens the behavior and makes and gives it a chance of happening again. When we think about positive reinforcement we can think about something good being added to a behavior. An example of positive reinforcement is when you do something good and someone compliments you and say “good job. An example of positive reinforcement with a reward is you doing a great job at...
Words: 1108 - Pages: 5
...Reinforcement has been a psychological tool used to teach students to take specific actions or learn a specific way of thinking (Koch, 2012). Reinforcements are usually considered negative in nature and often viewed as coercive. Punishment, a widely known and accepted form of alternative behavior, is a quick fix for problem behaviors. It is often used as it is more familiar and is a fast solution for the situation and the teacher. Persons who use different forms of punishment remark that it terminates undesirable and negative behaviors quickly and is easily given. While punishment has proven effective for some students, it is not always the desired behavior intervention for all students. Punishment is not always the best solution for undesirable and negative behaviors. Students with chronic behaviors, for example, do not respond well to punishment (Koch, 2012). Students are repeatedly punished by their parents and guardians through verbal assaults, spankings/beatings, the use of time out, and other negative methods. Students are accustomed and sometimes immune to receiving punishment that one needs to consider if the punishment is really effective? Also to consider is the reason for the punishment to inflict harm or merely to correct or terminate negative behavior? Reinforcements are used to teach students a different alternative and to teach specific actions or assist students to learn a particular way of thinking (Koch, 2012). Two main types of reinforcement are positive...
Words: 1246 - Pages: 5
...until today, most theorists refer to it as the “ Skinnerian Conditioning” to further their studies. Skinner established his theory from Thorndike’s earlier work and demonstrates that the most efficient way to understand behavior is by observing the causes of people’s actions, based on the effect of reinforcement or punishments. This paper will discuss the theory of the operant conditioning by explaining the significant actions that stimulates people’s behavior. Theory of Operant Conditioning Skinner did not consider people inner thoughts or intentions to be responsible for the way their behavior is shaped. Instead, he believed that external factors are most likely to be accountable for the way humans behave in their environment. The reason he uses the term operant, is to refer to certain behaviors that operate within the environment and initiate consequences. According to Skinner,” the emphasis is on behavior and its consequences, and the organism must respond in such a way as to produce the reinforcing stimulus” (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009, p. 76). Skinner also explains in his theory that behavior is more likely to be repeated through negative or positive reinforcement, increasing the possibilities to modify the behavior gradually as desired. The operant conditioning applies to a variety of situations, using three basic...
Words: 1299 - Pages: 6
...of the first theories that one is introduced to during their psychology learning years. So, what exactly is this theory? While learning about operant conditioning we must pay attention to two necessities, positive and negative reinforcements. These two play a key role in operant conditioning and behaviors. But which reinforcement method works better? Positive or negative? There are a few aspects to look into when determining which method works the best. Once operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, and negative reinforcement are learned, then it becomes easy for an individual to take the information and shape a behavior. Along with shaping behaviors, the creation of a reinforcement schedule can also be applied to the selected behavior. The Theory of Operant Conditioning Operant Conditioning was created by behaviorist BF Skinner. Operant conditioning occurs through rewards and punishments for behaviors. This creates a link between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior. Skinner had believed that it was not really necessary to look at internal thoughts and motivation in order to explain behavior. Instead we should look only at the external observable causes of human behavior (Cherry, 2005). When we have actions that are followed by reinforcement, they will be strengthened and then more likely to occur again in the future. However, actions that result in punishments or non-desirable consequences will be the opposite. These actions will be weakened and...
Words: 1214 - Pages: 5
...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 a positive or negative reinforcement or punishment after a specific behavior to increase or decrease the likelihood it will be repeated. A reinforced behavior is more likely to be repeated and that which is not reinforced to become extinct. According to McLeod (2015), the method involves the use of operants, reinforcers (positive and negative), punishers and reinforcement schedules. A neutral...
Words: 1365 - Pages: 6
...evidently a certain attitude it must be performed repeatedly and deeply rooted within the humans’ heart and mind. It may not be performed quickly but is done in a slow pace within reoccurring exposures. To do this it is certain to use Skinners ideology. Taming a lion is never easy but taming a minacious child was never easier. It takes a lot of patience and hardship to lead one into the right track. Skinners theory is a lot of help. We all owe him one. Skinners methods of shaping human behavior can be trace back in Thorndikes works. As skinners theory is a modification of what have been the theories of Thorndike. For Skinner, there are four methods of shaping human behavior. These are: Positive reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, Punishment and Extinction. Positive and negative reinforcement are two related methods...
Words: 1519 - Pages: 7
...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 to Prabhat (2011), Positive reinforcement refers to the delivery or presentation of anything positive whereas negative reinforcement refers to the removal, termination, or reduction of anything that is negative. Though the two are different processes, they have...
Words: 727 - Pages: 3
...Reinforcement: A reinforcer makes a behavior happen more. This is one of the most significant points that students forget and get confused about… We are used to positive meaning good and negative being bad; but in operant conditioning - positive means you are adding to the environment and negative means you are taking something away from the environment. You have to think in math terms ;) POSITIVE means to add something and NEGATIVE means to take something away. Therefore, positive reinforcement is the presentation of something, which STRENGTHENS a behavior. This is something that occurs to all of us throughout our lives. For example, your child does his chores and is given a weekly allowance as a reward. The behavior that is increased is doing the chores and the addition into the environment is the weekly allowance. We have added (money) to strengthen the behavior - added equals positive, strengthen means reinforce. Remember, operant conditioning is more like math with + and - Negative reinforcement is what often gets confused with punishment. But stay with me with this rationale... it is still reinforcement. I think negative reinforcement is confusing to students because we think of negative as something BAD; however, in operant conditioning, it might or might not be something bad but it *ALWAYS* means the removal of something. Taking away TV or money (minus) to get them to strengthen chore behavior. Remember, taking away...
Words: 437 - Pages: 2
...longing results that a person desires. Operant conditioning is the prudent method to use to reach such goals. B. F. Skinner, the behaviorist that came up with the operant conditioning theory, began the innovative experiments that led to the detection of the effects of positive and negative reinforcements. These two methods are effective tools that alter behavior in any home, school, or social environment that a person could manifest unpredictable behavior. The schedule of reinforcement is also a vital component of the learning process, which maintains positive behavior and a constant rate of response. The theory of operant conditioning Operant conditioning is an acclimatizing method of learning in which an individual’s behavior modifies by the use of positive or negative reinforcement. Therefore, the individual’s behavior changes in use, regularity, and strength. Operant conditioning came to be notable from classical conditioning; entails the conditioning of reflex behaviors, which stimulates by the manifestations of precursor conditions. The difference between the two is that classical conditioning does not uphold its method by the use of reinforcement. Alternatively, operant conditioning uses reinforcement to modify voluntary behavior. American psychologist Burrhus Frederic Skinner, mostly known by B. F. Skinner, was the first to revolutionize the term “operant conditioning.” Skinner develops his theory by creating the operant conditioning box or Skinner box, which he...
Words: 1039 - Pages: 5
