What Is Operant Conditioning Essay?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Operant conditioning (also called instrumental conditioning) is a type

of associative learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment

. It is also a procedure that is used to bring about such learning.

What is operant conditioning in your own words?

Operant conditioning is

the process of learning through reinforcement and punishment

. In operant conditioning, behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on the consequences of that behavior. Operant conditioning was defined and studied by behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner.

How do you explain operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning (also called instrumental conditioning) is a type

of associative learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment

. It is also a procedure that is used to bring about such learning.

What is the basic idea of operant conditioning?

The basic concept behind operant conditioning is that

a stimulus (antecedent) leads to a behavior, which then leads to a consequence

. This form of conditioning involves reinforcers, both positive and negative, as well as primary, secondary, and generalized.

What is the importance of operant conditioning in learning?

An advantage of operant conditioning is

its ability to explain learning in real-life situations

. From an early age, parents nurture their children’s behavior using rewards. Praise following an achievement (e.g. crawling or taking a first step) reinforce such behavior.

What is the best example of operant conditioning?


Positive reinforcement

describes the best known examples of operant conditioning: receiving a reward for acting in a certain way. Many people train their pets with positive reinforcement.

What are the 3 principles of operant conditioning?

  • Reinforcement (Central Concept ): A phenomenon in which a stimulus increases the chance of repetition of previous behavior is called reinforcement. …
  • Punishment: …
  • Shaping:

What are some examples of operant conditioning in the classroom?

3 Operant Conditioning Examples


Positive Reinforcement

: Students who line up quietly receive a smiley sticker. Negative Reinforcement: The teacher ignores a student who shouts out answers but calls on him when he raises his hand. Positive Punishment: A student gets detention after being late for class too many times.

What does operant conditioning focus on?

This section will focus on operant conditioning, which emphasizes

reinforcement for behaviors

. In operant conditioning, the motivation for a behavior happens after the behavior is demonstrated. An animal or a human receives a consequence (reinforcer or punisher) after performing a specific behavior.

What are examples of classical conditioning in everyday life?

  • Smartphone Tones and Vibes. …
  • Celebrities in Advertising. …
  • Restaurant Aromas. …
  • Fear of Dogs. …
  • A Good Report Card. …
  • Experiences in Food Poisoning. …
  • Excited for Recess. …
  • Exam Anxiety.

What are the 4 types of operant conditioning?

This type of learning creates an association between a behavior and consequence for that behavior. The four types of operant conditioning are

positive reinforcement, positive punishment, negative reinforcement, and negative punishment.

How is operant conditioning used in everyday life?

  1. Homework Completion. A student tends to complete his/her homework daily; because he/she knows that he/she will be rewarded with a candy (action) or praise (behavior).
  2. Cleaning Room. …
  3. Incentives and Bonuses. …
  4. Discounts and Benefits.

Can you use operant conditioning on yourself?

You can apply this theory to yourself by

finding positive pairings that enhance behavioral change

, or by removing negative associations that reinforce bad habits. … Operant Conditioning is another type of learning process that uses reinforcement or punishment to shape desired behavior.

What are the advantages of operant conditioning?

Operant Conditioning Advantages It’s

one of the best ways to train animals

, also. Animals, especially dogs or pigs, tend to learn based on reward or punishment. When you reward an animal for doing something, you’re conditioning it to associate a given action with something positive.

What is difference between classical and operant conditioning?


Classical conditioning involves associating an involuntary response and a stimulus

, while operant conditioning is about associating a voluntary behavior and a consequence. In operant conditioning, the learner is also rewarded with incentives,5 while classical conditioning involves no such enticements.

Which is the best example of classical conditioning?

The most famous example of classical conditioning was

Pavlov’s experiment with dogs

, who salivated in response to a bell tone. Pavlov showed that when a bell was sounded each time the dog was fed, the dog learned to associate the sound with the presentation of the food.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.