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Operant-Conditioning 3 The use of Operant Conditioning to shape a desired behaviour Behavioural psychology is a branch of Psychology, which studies the way in which humans learn and adapt to their environment. The ability to adapt and to learn from a constant changing environment is essential for survival of all species, not exclusive to the human race. “Operant conditioning involves operant behaviour, as each individual act operates on the environment to produce rewarding or punishing stimuli”. (Myers, 2002, 301.). Operational Conditioning is a method used to increase a desirable behaviour, and to decrease an undesirable behaviour. This method incorporates shaping, positive and negative reinforcement, token economies and reinforcement schedules to further increase a desirable behaviour within a species. B.F. Skinner, one of the most influential behavioural psychologists who developed his theory of Operational Conditioning from Edward L. Thorndike’s Law of Effect, used these fundamental principles of reinforcement and reinforcement schedules to shape and modify the behaviour in rats placed in a controlled environment, called a Skinner box. (Myers, 2002, 301.). Edward. L. Thorndike’s theory of the Law of Effect states that “Rewarded behaviour is likely to recur, whereas punished behaviour is likely not likely to recur.” (Myers, 2002, 301.). Using this theory as a starting point, Skinner developed a behavioural technology that revealed principles of control. These principles enabled Skinner to teach pigeons such behaviours as walking in a figure eight, playing ping-pong, and keeping a missile on course by pecking at a target on a screen. (Myers, 2002, 301.). Operant-Conditioning 4 Critics of Skinners theory denounce it stating “he dehumanized people by neglecting their personal freedom and by seeking to control their actions.” (Myers, 2002, 301.). Skinner’s response was that “recognizing behaviour that is shaped by its consequences, we, as a society, should administer rewards in ways that promote behaviour that is more desirable. Due to the fact that people’s behaviour is already haphazardly controlled by external consequences, why not administer those consequences for human betterment”(Myers, 2002, 301.). The present study is an attempt to test the efficiency of Skinners principles of Operant Conditioning to increase desired study behaviour, by the use of a controlled experiment. A participant recorded his/her daily activities on a daily calendar. For the period of approximately two weeks the participant recorded when the desired behaviour of study occurred naturally.
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