Skinners Operant Conditioning Theory Essay - 658 Words

Skinners Operant Conditioning Theory B.F Skinner (1904-1990), an American psychologist who was the leading exponent of the school of psychology know as behaviourism, maintained the idea that learning is a result of any change in overt behaviour. Changes in behaviour are determined by the way an individual responds to events (stimuli) in the environment. Skinner described this phenomenon as operant conditioning. Action on part of the learner is called a response. When a desired stimulus-response pattern is reinforced (rewarded), the individual is conditioned to respond in a certain way, and learning takes place. Reinforcement is a vital element in Skinners Stimulus-Response Theory. A reinforcer is†¦show more content†¦Skinner proposes two types of reinforcement that increase the likelihood of a response occurring: positive, and negative. Positive reinforcement (reward) involves a positive consequence of behaviour. In contrast, a negative reinforcement (Relief) involves a behaviour that results in the eliminat ion or prevention of a negative outcome. (Lefrancois, 1995). Punishment Like reinforcement, punishment can also determine the probability of whether behaviour will occur again. There are two types of punishment. One can be termed negative punishment, and involves the cessation of a positive event as a result of responding (Kentridge, 1995). For example, a reprimanded for bad behaviour. The other can be termed punishment, and involves a negative or aversive event in relation to responding (Kentridge, 1995). For example, receiving a fine for exceeding the speed limit. Punishment tends to suppress behaviour rather than strengthen. Reinforcement Schedules Studies of Reinforcement Schedules identify the various ways in which the environment makes reinforcement determine how we behave. There are four basic schedules that produce different response patterns: Fixed-Ratio (FR)Show MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Operant Conditioning And The Skinner Box1707 Words   |  7 PagesThere have been many famous individuals who have contributed to education. BF Skinner, William Glasser, John Dewey, and Lev Vygotski are four notorious men in the history and impact of education. Bf Skinner (1904) was a behaviorist who his most widely known for his theory of operant conditioning and the Skinner box. His created this theory to study human behavior. Operant conditioning includes positive and negative reinforcement as well as positive and negative punishment. Positive reinforcementRead MoreSkinner s Theory Of Operant Conditioning Essay860 Words   |  4 Pages Burrhus Frederic (B. F.) 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