Reinforcement And Operant Conditioning Essays Examples

Learning is relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of practice or experience. It also leads to acquisition of skills, knowledge, and habits (Bee & Boyd, 2012). Several theories have been put forward to explain how learning takes place. Examples of these theories are operant conditioning by B.F. Skinner and Classical conditioning by Ivan Pavlov.
The two theories have notable differences. While operant conditioning gives incentives individuals so as to alter their behaviors, classical conditioning does not. Secondly, classical conditioning involves pairing of unconditional stimulus and conditional stimulus so as to change behavior (Harris & Butterworth, 2002) unlike operant conditioning which involves the use of reinforcement to change behavior. Moreover, classical conditioning involves involuntary behavior unlike operant’s voluntary behavior. In addition to this, response in classical conditioning is triggered by unconditional stimulus whereas in operant conditioning it is triggered by the environment.
Operant conditioning involves schedules of reinforcement which are vital in determining the rate as well as the strength of response. One of the types of schedules of reinforcement is the continuous reinforcement schedule (CRF) where every response produces a reinforcer. In my family, my father was always worried at my sister’s academic performance in junior high school. Aware that high school performance has an impact on college degree choice, my father promised to take her for a holiday vacation if she continuously improves in her performance at the end of very term. Because of her love for holidays, she worked so hard and registered an upward trend in performance over the years. She finally ended up topping in her class at the end of grade 12, thanks to her love for holidays.

References

Bee, H. & Boyd, D. (2012). The Developing Child (13th ed.). Boston, TX: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon
Harris, M. & Butterworth, G. (2002). Developmental Psychology: A Student's Handbook. New York, NY: Psychology press