Skinner's Operant Conditioning

Skinner's Operant Conditioning

Introduction

Operant conditioning (also called instrumental conditioning, learning and Skinnerian conditioning type II) is a concept of behaviorism initiated by Edward Thorndike and developed by Skinner in the mid- twentieth century. This theory is interested in learning which results in action, taking into account the consequences of making it more or less likely the reproduction of said behavior (Terry, 2009).

The learning model of Skinner does not refer to systems or internal causes because it is difficult to observe and probably involve mechanisms or forces whose existence cannot be denied nor confirmed. Operant methodology can be used to test theoretical problems and hypotheses through experimental arrangements (Brush, Overmier, 1985). Operant conditioning rejected speculation about the causes of behavior, and seeks to demonstrate experimentally in a direct current and historical determinants of behavior (Coon, Mitterer, 2009). The behavioral characteristics and their probability of occurrence are determined by environmental conditions, by events that precede or accompany the behavior, environmental events that change as a result of conduct and the previous experience of the body; within the context of this statement of conditioning operant behavior studies (Coon, Mitterer, 2009).

Discussion

In psychology, instrumental conditioning is a form of learning in which the result (the reinforcing stimulus) is contingent upon the response that the subject has already issued, regulating its posterior probability. The word, introduced by Edward Thorndike, suggests that the behavior serves to achieve an end (Terry, 2009).

Theory of Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a form of associative learning that has to do with the development of new behaviors based on consequences. The principles of operant conditioning were developed by B.F. Skinner, who was influenced by the research of Edward L. Thorndike. In 1898, 'the law of effect' was developed by Edward L. Thorndike, when he conducted his study through examining cats' behaviors (Olson & Hergenhahn 2009). In his study, Thorndike came to the conclusion that the association between a stimuli in a certain situation and its response is learning. This relationship between behavior and its consequences is the law of effect.

This study was extended by B.F. Skinner through his experiment of behavior analysis. According to the study of Thorndike, the probable behavior consequence can decrease or increase the response possibility. Taking this further, Skinner produced a situation in his experiment in which he brought systematic variations in the condition of stimulus. This caused a dissimilar condition of the environment that affected the possibility of the occurrence of the given behavior. Skinner formed operant conditional behaviors to for the behavior analysis in an experiment (Olson & Hergenhahn 2009). The outcomes of the behavior of the organism were manipulated to determine its effects on the behavior of the organism in the future. Skinner concluded through his experiment that the outcomes 'operate' on the situation, thus, affecting that outcome and the outcomes of the future. The response to stimuli “operates” on the environment and thus creates a different response when it affects the environment differently.

Discussion and Analysis

Operant Conditioning and Behaviorism

The American psychologist BF Skinner was the ...