Operant Conditioning - Term Paper Example

Download file to see previous pages Some of these theories include classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning, constructivist theory, and connectivism. This paper bases on operant conditioning; one of the key theories on learning and behavior, which was developed by B. F. Skinner. Using this theory, this essay will focus on how to get a teenager to clean his room. It is important that all family members live in a clean place, because of hygiene purposes. When children are still young, and cannot perform tasks, parents are responsible for them. However, when the children come of age, parents expect them to be responsible individuals. In this case, responsibility involves taking up tasks to ensure high hygiene levels in the house. However, most teenage boys are lazy and less responsible, with regard to cleaning. It is therefore quite challenging to get a teenage boy to clean his room, as most leave their room messy. Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of a parent to bring up responsible children; therefore, a parent has to ensure that the teenage boys learn how to clean their room. If one uses Skinner’s “operant conditioning,” it is possible to make a teenage boy to learn how to clean up his room. ...
Shaping of each part of the small parts will help to achieve a whole behavior change. The parts in this case will include making the bed, keeping clothes in a hamper, dusting the desk and bookshelf, and cleaning the floor of the room and carpeting. Successful shaping of each of these behavior segments will result in a whole clean room. Although this might take some time, under the right conditions, the teenage boy will learn and adapt to the whole process. In order to shape these behaviors, different processes should be employed. According to Catania & Harnad (1988), shaping involves using reinforcement to change an existing response to the desired target behavior. Therefore, the use of reinforcements in the whole process will help to achieve the target behavior in the teenage boy. Therefore, at each stage or phase of behavior different reinforcements will be employed in order to ensure that the teenage boy learns the behavior and moves to the next phase of behavior segment. There are different types of reinforcements that can be used to shape behavior. Positive reinforcement involves providing positive stimulus in order to enhance the desired response. On the other hand, positive punishment involves using an aversive stimulus to reduce an unwanted response. Furthermore, negative reinforcement involves getting rid of an aversive stimulus in order to enhance the desired response or behavior. In addition, reinforcement can be continuous or intermittent. In continuous reinforcement, reinforcement is provided for every desired response, while in intermittent reinforcement, reinforcement is provided for some of the correct responses, but not all (Catania & Harnad, 1988). In this case, however, positive and continuous ...Download file to see next pagesRead More