Operant Conditioning Research Papers Samples For Students

Learning is key to human development and behavior. Behavioral psychology is one of the methods for understanding how learning develops and the understanding of individuals. Learning is a modification of behaviors due to consistent practice and requires the interaction of behavior and environment to yield changes. Assessment of learning is performed by means of tests that quantitatively measure achievements; whether they are newly acquired mental or physical skills. Learning and performance are related but separate subjects, and learning itself may be state dependent, meaning, that the conditions under which material was learned must be replicated in order for that learning ...

Learning is one of the areas of human psychology that remains, to this day, hotly contested by researchers. Some claim that learning is one type of process, while others claim that learning takes place through a different process. Two of the leading theories regarding learning are the theories of operant and classical conditioning. Both have been studied extensively throughout the years, and each has supporters and detractors. Choosing a method for learning and teaching behavior is different from learning complex ideas and engagement in a classroom, but principles of operant and classical conditioning can still be used in these situations to encourage ...

Introduction

Many thinkers and scientists have proposed models and theories about how people learn; they are called learning theories. The learning theories are classified as behaviourism, cognitivism, constructivism, humanism and design-based. Behaviorism is based on the supposition that learning occurs for an organism through interactions with the environment. Behaviouristic school assumes that an organism always responds to a stimulus and the ‘responses’ are depends on the nature of the stimulus, i.e. rewarding or pain giving. Here, the learner is considered as a system that has the capability to respond to a stimulus and the learner is passive. The definition that emerged from the ...

Theories of Behaviorism and Operant Condition or Learning

Theories of behaviorism relate to principles that seek to explicate behavior in terms of overt or observable actions and responses. Behaviorism is essentially defined by the theories proposed by John Watson and B.F. Skinner, which highlight the stimulus and response mechanism as a way to observe and understand human behavior. Behaviorism highly values observable behavior because it is a manifestation of internal behavior that is measurable and may easily be recorded (Nevid, 2012). Behaviorists such as Watson and Skinner argue that the observable and measurable nature of overt behavior makes it an essential and reliable gauge of human behavior. Watson is ...

Abstract

Operant conditioning refers to the process of behavior learning in which an individual receives external stimuli that can affect learning outcomes. The term was first used by Skinner, even though Watson and Thorndike already understood the procedures of operant conditioning, with the exception of continuous stimuli that were first applied by Skinner. The five procedures that explain the types of stimuli that can affect human behavior include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, negative punishment, and extinction. In practice, operant conditioning is used to teach behavior to children, modify behavior in psychotherapy patients, and eliminate old or introduce new ...

In the study of behavioral psychology, it is important to understand the motivation behind phobias and addictions. Phobia is an irrational fear associated with a certain stimuli, while addiction is a state developed from engaging in habit-forming behaviors. However, both phobia and addiction come as a result of learning. The two most important processes that cause phobia and addiction are classical and operant conditioning. Although both concepts result in learning, the processes differ.
Classical conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus pairs up with an unconditioned response. A good example is Ivan Pavlov’s study with dogs. In the study, the dogs associated ...

Have you ever wonder why there are children that have tantrums and as soon as the parent hand them a candy, they will stop? However, there are kids that when parents spank them they do stop acting up. How about a kid will stop their outburst when the promised toy was not bought? All three are different methods, but the intended result is the same; stop the tantrum. Operant conditioning (sometimes referred to as instrumental conditioning) is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that ...

Even for psychologists not directly studying motivation, its understanding is critical in all branches of the discipline. Motivation is defined as the force that causes us to do things and think about things. It is the inner drive or force that causes a person to take action towards a specific end. It is termed a “driving force.” Hunger is a motivating force, which drives a person to it. As is thirst, and other primary inborn drives.
In Chapter 11 of Gregory Feist’s Pychology: Making Connections, the author establishes just how important motivation is for human behavior. (Feist, 2011)Motivation also comes from ...

Describe the theory of operant conditioning.

“Operant conditioning” is a term given to a system of learned behavior 1937 by B. F. Skinner that has to do with consequences controlling a person or animal’s behavior. Operant Conditioning is conditioning in which a person acquires a repeated association with a consequence with a certain behavior. An example would be a domesticated dolphin who learns that every time he does a double belly flip in the air he is rewarded with his favorite fish, salmon. After enough instances of receiving a salmon after doing a certain thing, consciously or unconsciously he will continue to repeat this behavior because he has associated a positive consequence with it.
Classical ...

Arguably, memory is one of the elementary mental processes. As a matter of fact, Neuroscientists use diverse strategies to study the process, and demonstrate the link between memory and learning. Memory refers to the process of storing information in the brain for a long time. In fact, there is a connection between memory and learning; in that memory is one of the crucial concepts of learning. It is very difficult to imagine an individual trying to learn without the process of memorizing. Hence, as a process, memory entails a dynamic mechanism that is associated with retrieval and retention of information about the past experience. ...

Theory of operant conditioning

Theory of operant conditioning (instrumental conditioning) is the application of a character’s precursor and or its effects to pressurize the occurrence and type of character. Operant conditioning can be differentiated from classical conditioning (respondent conditioning) in that operant conditioning focuses on the adjustment of voluntary behavior or operant character. Operant character functions on the environment and is sustained through its outcomes, while classical conditioning focuses on restraining of reflexive (reflex) traits that are drawn by the precursor circumstances. This implies that it is way of studying, which happens through incentives and penalties for the character. This theory was first ...

Research Paper

Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined as an impairment in neurobehavioral functioning that is characterized by constant and dysfunctional indications of inattention and hyperactivity. Individuals with ADHD usually have major disabilities in interpersonal, social, and academic performance. Moreover, ADHD is related to a number of co-morbid disorders and disabilities like learning impairments, disruptive behavioral patterns, and mood disorders. Numerous treatments have been studied by researchers, but most of them focused on pharmacological treatments. Generally, there is a lack of research on the effectiveness of behavioral treatments in treating ADHD. One of the potential treatments for ADHD-- positive ...

Abstract

In this paper, I will describe punishment as a learning tool. Early research was focused on the system of reward and punishment as the only method for shaping and maintaining desirable behavior. However, that same research displayed a variety of results, so it was not possible to predict every outcome and negative long-term effects of punishment. Eventually, learning theories stopped focusing on punishment as a learning method, and they proved the importance of positive reinforcement, learner participation, and learning behavior through observation. Some of the most popular contemporary theories include the social-cognitive learning theory and the constructivist learning theory. Furthermore, punishment is a ...

Abstracts

The purpose of this research paper was to illustrate applications of behavior analysis to practical, real-life examples. In the first section, the report discussed concepts such as MOs, positive and negative reinforcements as well as reinforcement schedules. These concepts apply in cases discussed in this paper, which increase comprehensive reception and retention of the information contained in it. Subsequently, the paper analyzes the application of behavior intervention plan in a yelling case. The plan helped individual reduce yelling habit premeditated steps that invoke consciousness in behavior change process. Later, goal-setting skills helped in minimization of job stress in yelling ...

Understanding one’s behavior is essential to the maintenance of proper communication channels. In fact, lack thereof compromises the possibilities of understanding the actions of individuals lacking the capacity to express themselves vocally. In many cases, verbal communication does not fulfill all the interaction requirements, therefore, creating the need to appreciate the essential concepts of behavioral psychology. Specifically, the operant and classical conditioning are essential concepts that seek to explain the nature of the behavior of people and animals. A Russian psychologist, Ivan Pavlov, first proposed classical conditioning and it emphasizes the placement of a neutral action before a ...

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the elaboration of token economy system for students, who prefer being absent at classes. The reasons of absence were considered, and appropriate tokens were suggested. The class of juniors, who studied Microeconomics, was taken for conducting an experiment with tokens in the form of additional marks. These marks gave an opportunity at the end of the course to choose the exam questions personally based on their complexity and quantity, namely to create an examination card, and an opportunity to decide how to pass an exam, namely completion of the test, oral discussion, presentation preparation ...

Abstract

Psychology is one of the most interesting fields in the world. Most of the issues discussed in the field of psychology involve the activities of mind and this includes the power of reasoning and being rational. Psychology tends to explain human behavior and the reason why different people will behave differently even in similar situations. The aspect of self disclosure is one that has been explained through the definition and elaboration of different schools of thought in psychology. Personality is another important aspect highlighted in the field of psychology as it plays an important role as well in determining ...

Aversive Control

Self efficacy is a construct that shares similar historical richness as Money attitude but, it has developed into one of the most essential studies of human behavior. Numerous researches on this topic have been designed to address the construct of self efficacy and just like Money Attitude, it leads to human behavior. For example, the management of chronic ailments often requires the person to take part in a number of behaviors that re self-care in nature. For example, a patient will not care about recovery from a health condition when they feel inadequate to influence a positive result, therefore their self efficacy deteriorate (Genesove & ...

“IMPROVING PERFORMANCE WITH FEEDBACK, REWARDS, AND POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT"

INTRODUCTION
The process of managing the output which an organization produces and reforming the defined processes accordingly for enhancing the production outcomes is referred as improving the performance. There are several steps and measures which must be taken by the management for enhancing the overall performance of the organization. This requires that the employees are motivated and they clearly understand the goals which the organization wishes to achieve. The desired outcomes can be achieved by providing the employees with feedback, offer rewards and incentives and positively reinforce the workforce so that they remain motivated and align themselves with ...

During the early 20th century, when psychology was mainly oriented on mental processes, behavioral psychology was established to improve the ability of the psychologists to make decisions by using better experimental methods. Some of the first pioneers of behaviorism were Watson, Skinner, and Tolman. While cognitive psychology relied on introspective methods to explain human behavior and cognitive processes, those psychologists considered visible behavior the most important element for studying and understanding human behavior. However, their perspectives are different in terms of the emphasis they place on studying different elements of human psychology, and they also have different approaches to ...

Introduction

With interest in the field of child development emerging in the early twentieth century, many theories have been formed in an effort to understand the physical, educational, social, emotional, and cognitive growth that children undergo from birth into early adulthood (Cherry, 2013). In particular, developmental theories are organized systems of “principles and explanations of certain aspects of child development” (Swim, 2008).
In this regard, this paper discuses three of the major developmental theories, namely the behavioral theory, the cognitive theory, and the sociocultural theory.

Summaries of three Major Developmental Theories

Behavioral Theory
The behavioral theory focuses on the behavior of people, which can ...

Block 1

The ability of a rat to learn is the most amazing one in this study carried out by Willard Stanton Small. Being the first to build a maze to for rats, Small used the maze to study the behavior of rats. He took the rats and placed them in a maze where they lived (Pineno 2010). At the center of the maze, he placed food. He then observed the ability of the rats to remember the corridors in the maze that normally give them a pathway to access the food in the middle of the maze. Small indexed and ...

Research suggests that early childhood education is extremely important for the success of children as they age. Without proper early childhood education, children are set up for failure in their lives before they even begin to attend school; children who attend preschool programs, for instance, have a much easier time learning in the kindergarten and first grade classrooms than children who are immediately placed into those same classrooms (Edwards, Cutter-Mackenzie et al., 2014). Perhaps some of the most important skills that children learn in these early childhood educational experiences are not academic skills, but are the skills that they need ...

Reflective Summary on Human Learning (Sixth Edition) by

Reflective Summary on Human Learning (Sixth Edition) by

Introduction

Reflection of the first designated chapters of the Ormrod (2008) textbook on Human Learning (Sixth Edition) provides a broad spectrum of the evolution of the science of learning providing understanding of the cognitive abilities aligned to the human learning experience. From the onset of this reflection and choosing the two areas personally affecting the subjectivity of understanding self, changing beliefs about learning, and influencing the professional goal of attaining the role of teacher, it became apparent there was more to this process than just two chapters. First, Boud et al (1994) and ...

Behavior Therapy

Behavior therapy is the use of learning procedures to eliminate maladaptive behaviors such as schizophrenia, phobias, and anxiety (Myers, 2010, p. 652; Passer & Smith, 2010, p. 592). Behavior therapy is based on the thinking that observable behavior is the problem, rather than a symptom of some invisible, underlying issue (Passer & Smith, 2010, p. 592). Behavior therapy helps people to unlearn some behaviors such as fear of public speaking or anxiety. It can also help in arresting other conditions such as autism.
The major approaches used in behavior therapy are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is a type of ...

Culture and Management

Modern institutions operate under organizational models that are informed by a collection of normative orders, organisational goals, and communication system. Moreover, the essence of an organisation relies on the development-shared assumptions, meanings, values, and beliefs that reinforces and guides organisational behaviours. Although employees are critical players in modern organisation, cultural aspects have a critical role in influencing the success of the organisation. Organisational cultures have an all rounded roles that shape all aspects in an organisation including human capital. Studies have confirmed that profit-making organisation utilises employees’ abilities, competent, and skills in fulfilling their objectives and goals (McShane, & von Glinow 2008, ...

Introduction

The position of Couples Therapy in society was strengthened ever since the turn of the century. The foundation upon which this field is based was established twenty years ago. Over the years, a combination of the strongest elements of a myriad of clinical approaches has been intelligently integrated into Couples Therapy. In comparison to other forms of therapy that are typically sought out, therapy for marital-related problems is more sought out (Veroff, Kulka, and Douvan). Although couples usually divorce each other because of marital affairs, however, the major factor that contributes to marital dissolution is that couples begin growing apart, which ...

(Institute/University)

Introduction

Deviance and criminal conduct can be perceived as the “outcome of rational choices based on efforts, rewards, and costs involved,” citing Cornish and Clarke (1998). Moreover, Wang (2005, p. 105) posits that offenders are logical in their thinking patterns and will opt for choices that will reward them. This factor emphasizes the fact that even the most incorrigible and dangerous criminals and offenders will evince a reasonable thinking pattern. This is particularly true for serial criminals who exhibit intelligence to avoid capture.
Over time, offenders will be to enhance their decision-making processes. Offenders will look to optimize opportunities ...

Psychology

Abstract
Nicotine is an alkaloid existing naturally in tobacco products. It is highly addictive, and intake cessation is often marred by high relapse rates. Multiple sources of literature document the adverse health effects that nicotine dependence has on the body, including cancer, mental illness and coronary diseases. This paper explores the psychological factors behind the prevalence and severity of nicotine addiction. Section one provides an overview of the concept of nicotine addiction and the reason for its pervasiveness. Section two elaborates the psychological development of nicotine dependence, indicating the thought processes and personal motivations behind the use of ...

Abstract

There is a strong mutual relationship between substance abuse and psychology. This study has found that the problem of substance abuse is caused by psychological contexts in which an individual undergoes and, therefore, psychological interventions are necessary as ways to control it. In the study too, it has been found that substance abuse has accounted to many mental and other psychological problems to addicts. The research has reviewed literatures from various sources: online psychological periodicals, research articles, white papers, books and experts views from psychologists. In this regard, it has defined substance abuse and discussed ways in which psychology is related ...

Section 1: Proposal

Within the major profession of criminology, one recurring problem is the explanation of criminal behavior patterns and their relationship to crime, involving the subtopics of the sociological legal and psychiatric aspects of crime which contribute to defining and elaborating on criminal behavior.

Section 2: Body Sections

Casey, Sharon. "Elements of Psychological Maturity and Its Influence on Antisocial and
Criminal Behavior." The open criminology journal 4.Suppl 1-M1 (2011): 32-39.
This article by Casey explores the concept of psychological maturity in adolescents and how it relates to teen violence. The author explores the background information currently existing in the field of developmental ...

Introduction

Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder of the brain and behavior which causes severe anxiety and involves both obsessions and compulsions which may interfere with the normal activities of a person. People with OCD fall into different categories. They maybe washers, checkers, doubters and sinners, counters and arrangers and hoarders. According to Robinson et al. (2014), washers are those who are afraid of contamination while checkers are those who repeatedly check things associated with danger like gas stoves. Doubters and sinners are those who think that they will be punished if they do not do things right. Counters and ...

Abstract

Great deal of children all over the world suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity, emotionalism and difficulty of staying focused. Children with ADHD usually have the lack of comprehension skills, poor study results and problems with following instructions as a result, they are more likely to conflict with coevals and teachers.
There are different types of ADHD treatments, the most common one is academic interventions which include manipulating antecedent conditions, parent tutoring, homework management programs, instructional modifications, self-monitoring. Self- monitoring technique is crucial for children with ADHD, as teaches them not only to regulate ...

Introduction

Leadership plays a critical role in influencing the achievement of any organization’s objectives. There is no one way or criteria of determining an effective leadership system. This is because many systems of leadership exist and these systems work differently but in the long run, they still manage to facilitate the realization of goal and objectives. However, there are some styles that are often preferred to others. Depending on the direction of the organization, leadership can employ or adopt the most appropriate style to drive it towards accomplishing its motive or objective. Even with the criticism being advanced towards some ...

Eldrick Tont Woods, commonly known as Tiger Woods, is an American professional golfer born in December 30, 1975. Currently, Tiger Woods is one of the most successful golfers in history with a collection of trophies to his name. The determination to excel in golf makes Woods a perfectionist. Since his adolescent days, Woods sets very high standards for himself and goes to great lengths to surpass those standards. As a result, Neal Miller’s social cognitive theory would be the most appropriate for analyzing Wood’s perfectionist behavior.
According to Miller’s social cognitive theory, there are four key areas when ...

The topic of this paper is parent/child relationship. A positive parent child relationship is an essence of child’s psychological, emotional and social development. Parent/child relationship is defined as the combination of feelings, behaviors and emotions that are particular to certain parent and their children. Three types of problems are faced by the children due to conflicting parent child relationship; social adjustment problems, problems in adopting discipline and problems in educational settings. Studies has been quoted which show that the children personality is directly affected by the behavior and attitudes of the parents .This paper shall focus on the ...

Human behavior, specifically the internal behavior, is probably one of the most complex phenomenons to explain. Various theories have been developed in an attempt to understand and explain human behavior, and Skinner’s behavioral theory is one of them. Burrhus Frederic Skinner, a behavioral psychologist born and raised in Pennsylvania, is considered the father of radical behaviorism. In his quest to explain human behavior, he invented the famous, or rather infamous, Skinner box which he used for the experiments. With animals (such as rats or pigeons) as the specimen, Skinner directly transferred his findings to human beings, without the slightest ...

Research on Token Economy

Abstract
This paper will address the different behavioral issues that teachers are facing in their everyday classroom activities. Along with that is to develop a token economy program that will serve as a positive reinforcement in order to maintain appropriate classroom behaviors among students. The grade level focus of this paper is the preschool level. One or another, children below the age of seven is not pretty much serious enough yet to attend school and some of them are still not aware of how important it is that they attend school. Tendency is, children act inappropriately showing tantrums and disinterest ...

Worried-well patients

Introduction
‘Worried-well’ patients are those are anxious about their physical wellbeing and would be in health centers seeking medical advices or treatments for ailments that cannot be diagnosed. These patients are said to be suffering from hypochondriasis, which is described as a psychological condition of excessive worry about having a serious illness (Reilly & Markenson, 2011). The unbearable condition is attributed by an incorrect acuity of the human body’s condition despite the deficiency of a genuine medical condition. Worried-well patients can thus be categorized as hypochondriacs. They are distressed about any somatic signs they detect no matter their minority. Their conviction ...

1.0 Introduction
Personality can be defined as a set of organized and dynamic characteristics that reflects and determines how an individual reacts to his/her environment[ CITATION Tie93 \l 2057 ]. Normally, these set of organized and dynamic characteristics influences ones behaviors, motivation and cognition[ CITATION THu08 \l 1033 ]. Personality brings out the differences between individuals and a unique set of inner characteristic that each posses. Through the study of personality one can appreciate the fact that no two individuals are exactly identical e.g. one can be adventurous while the other is not. It is worth noting that personality can be enduring ...

Introduction

Discipline is said to be one of the methods that is supposed to instill the desired behavior in the child. The issue of discipline towards the children differs from one culture to another and the meaning attached to it also differs. The bottom line however is that all cultures agree on the importance of condemning bad behavior in the children. The difference is brought about by the differences that arise on the basis of the social environment as well as the rules and norms of the society. The following discussion shall focus on the differences between the approach of ...