Operant conditioning REPORT - Essay Example

Operant Conditioning Operant Conditioning In most cases, operant conditioning process is used in behavior modification as a way ofencouraging the subject to behave in a desired manner either through the use of positive or negative reinforcement. Operant conditioning application in the bird and laboratory apparatus leads behavior change during and after reinforcement while taking into reflection the response to food behavior change that is being conditioned. Continuous reinforcement schedule is used in the experiment; operant conditioning can be used in behavior change in children.

During the reinforcement process, the bird develops a voluntary behavior as the response to the food stimuli is willingly exposed over time. After continuous reinforcement, a positive behavior is picked out that increases the exhibition of desired behavior over time the behavior after conditioning. As a result, of the continuous use of food stimuli a positive behavior that encourages the bird to peck in the food dispenser is reinforced thus, the operant conditioning encourages timely intake of food by the bird (Nevid, 2009).

The presence of food stimulus exposes an innate, often reflexive response by the bird. The experiment in the bird and laboratory apparatus undertakes a continuous reinforcement schedule that involves instigating a correct response of the bird to the food stimuli. Because operant conditioning is mainly influenced by the environment, it can be used in encouraging children to complete their homework in time for them to earn a reward from their teachers (Lefrancois, 2012). As a positive reinforce, operant conditioning involves the use of rewards to increase behavior change in the desired direction.

In conclusion, operant conditioning remains relevant in behavior change in animals and people. The positive or negative reinforcement focuses on making the subject associate the pleasure or displeasure of the reinforcement with the behavior it has to change towards after the process. It therefore, encourages the exhibition of innate, often reflexive, response by the subject.ReferencesNevid, J. (2009). Psychology: concepts and applications. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.Lefrancois, G. (2012). Theories of human learning: what the professor said.

Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.