Operant Conditioning, Positive and Negative Reinforcement - Research Paper Example

?Operant Conditioning Introduction Operant conditioning is a form of learning that involves the modification of an individual’s behavior based on theconsequences that accompany such behavior according to Domjan (2003). As opposed to classically conditioned behaviors, operant conditioned behaviors are maintained by their consequences with reinforcements and punishments being part of the offerings. Reinforcements may be positive or negative depending on how they are applied in operant conditioning. Reinforcement in this sense is the consequence that causes the more frequent occurrence of a behavior. When no consequence accompanies a behavior or when behavior is inconsequential, it tends to occur with less frequency. Yet again, when a behavior that was previously reinforced positively or negatively is no longer reinforced, extinction occurs. The following sections of the paper will discuss the application of positive and negative reinforcement. Positive Reinforcement During operant conditioning, when reinforcement is delivered following a response, it is said that positive reinforcement has been applied (Skinner, 1953). Better stated, positive reinforcement is applied when a behavior is followed by a rewarding stimulus with the aim of increasing how frequent the behavior occurs. In practice, I have seen positive reinforcement applied in teaching pet parrots how to use a “toilet”. Initially, the parrot would go messing the house toileting anywhere. This proved quite a problem to the household. In order to train the pet parrot how to use the “toilet”, the owner of the pet learnt how frequent the parrot would relieve itself. He noted that the parrot did so almost every 10 minutes. He then would bring the toilet to the parrot every 10 minutes. At first the parrot shied away from using the toilet. Whenever it used the toilet it was rewarded with grains. This process took some time and finally the parrot learnt to fly to where the toilet is whenever it wants to relieve itself. Negative Reinforcement Negative reinforcement occurs when reinforcement is withdrawn following a response (Timberlake, 1983). Alternatively stated, negative reinforcement occurs when an aversive stimulus is removed following a response thereby leading to an increase in the frequency of the specific behavior. Practically, I have used negative reinforcement to modify a child’s behavior. Previously, I would wake the child up every morning so that he could prepare and go to school. Since I wanted the child to be responsible in waking up and getting prepared, I set an alarm clock and put it beside the child’s bed. In the morning, whenever the alarm goes on, the child has to wake up and switch it off to remove the annoying sound. Punishment by Application (Positive Punishment) Punishment by application is also referred to as punishment by contingent stimulation. It involves a stimulus following a response thereby leading to a decrease in behavior frequency. When a child’s behavior is modified using positive punishment, such as by caning them when they do something wrong, their behavior can be positively modified. Although spanking children can be effective in modifying behavior, it has some negative effects. The child for example may end up suffering low self esteem with the continued use of positive punishment. Yet again, the child may become used to and resistant to the punishment. When this happens, the conditioning no longer remains effective. In my view, positive punishment should be applied to a minimum level so as to avoid resistance and other negative outcomes. I have also applied positive punishment in ensuring that a child takes her shower early enough. Whenever she forgets to shower before 7pm, she has to shower in cold water. This way, she has developed a habit of showering immediately after school. Practically, I have witnessed the application of positive punishment on a child. Every time the child came home late after an evening of playing, he was caned. Initially, the method seemed to work. However, with time, the boy got used to being canned and started believing that being canned was his fate every evening. The boy always came home late and never quite learnt to come home early for as long as the parents continued to can him for the same reason. Punishment by Removal (Negative Punishment) Punishment by removal is also termed punishment by contingent withdrawal according to Tucker, Sigafoos and Bushell (1998). It occurs when a behavior precedes the withdrawal of a stimulus. For example, when a child misbehaves and their toy is withdrawn from them as a form of punishment, negative punishment applies. Practically, I have applied negative punishment to control the behavior of a child. Since the child normally forgets to complete her homework sometimes, I deny her the privilege of watching her favorite cartoon programs during the weekend if she fails to complete her homework first. The child has now learnt to complete her homework on Fridays so that she can watch her favorite programs over the weekend without hindrance. I have also applied negative punishment on in ensuring that my niece has her room clean and tidy. The little girl preferred to play in the room leaving it untidy as she ran out to play with her peers or accompany the rest of the family on outings. I set the rule stating that every time her room was untidy, she would not leave the house to play with her friends and neither would she accompany us on weekend trips. Instead, she would remain in the house alone with the house help. Considering that the situation is very boring for her, she has learnt with time to keep her room clean and tidy so as to enjoy her day without the withdrawal of privileges. Conclusion Operant conditioning may be applied in modifying the behaviors of both humans and animals. The use of punishments and reinforcements make operant conditioning possible by increasing or decreasing the frequency of occurrence of behavior. A number of factors may however be at play in the success of operant conditioning. In some cases, such as when positive punishment is applied, the results may be counteractive. References Domjan, M. (2003) The Principles of Learning and Behavior. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth. Skinner, B. (1953). Science and human behavior. Oxford, England. Macmillan. Timberlake, W. (1983). Rats' responses to a moving object related to food or water: A behavior-systems analysis. Animal Learning & Behavior. 11(3):309–320. Tucker, M., Sigafoos, J., & Bushell, H. (1998). Use of noncontingent reinforcement in the treatment of challenging behavior. Behavior Modification, 22, 529–547. Read More