The Mirror Experiment - Article Example

It seems easy at first but when the mouse operates in the opposite way, like when the left-function becomes right and top-function becomes bottom, it became very difficult and frustrating for the subject. It was like learning a complicated task and feels like using the computer for the first time. Tracing the drawing with the mouse in the opposite function brought about both satisfaction and frustration to the subject all throughout the experiment. The yellow highlighted the line, which determines the right response became a punisher and a reinforcer at the same time.

After an action, if the yellow highlighted line doesn’t move, the stroke doesn’t follow the drawing and the subject has to drag the mouse to where the yellow line stopped. However, when the yellow line moved along with the strokes, it brings about rewarding feelings and satisfaction knowing that the stroke was correct and the end of the line for tracing is near. Just like the concept of Operational learning, the subject knew how a certain response is being rewarded or punished and his actions were patterned according to how this particular task operates to completion.