PSYC 6717 Discussion: Operant Conditioning

PSYC 6717 Discussion: Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning, sometimes called instrumental conditioning, is a learning process where behavior is shaped through positive or negative reinforcement. This method is used to change behaviors and improve outcomes for individuals (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2020). An everyday example of operant conditioning that we can all relate to involves the use of sound sensors in our vehicles. Some of these sensors act as negative reinforcers to encourage safe behaviors. For instance, if you start your car and drive without fastening your seatbelt, an annoying sound sensor continues until you secure your seatbelt (PSYC 6717 Discussion: Operant Conditioning).

NURS – 6003N Week 1 Discussion: Networking Opportunities guide

This irritating sound serves as a negative reinforcer because it can only be stopped by performing the desired behavior, which is fastening your seatbelt. The antecedent in this case is the unsafe condition of not having a secured seatbelt. This unsafe condition activates the negative reinforcer, which is the annoying sound sensor. Therefore, the negative reinforcer influences the behavior of fastening the seatbelt in response to the antecedent of an unsafe driving condition without a seatbelt.

Reference:
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson PSYC 6717 Discussion: Operant Conditioning.

Discussion: Operant Conditioning

In your life, you’ve been conditioned to respond to specific situations in certain ways. This is known as operant conditioning. It’s a type of learning where the consequences of your actions determine whether you’ll repeat the same behavior in the future.

Even if you didn’t have a formal plan for your behavior, operant conditioning has played a significant role in shaping your life. It involves learning the connection between your actions and the rewarding or punishing outcomes you experience. You also learn the conditions, called antecedents, that make these consequences more or less likely.

For this discussion, you’ll analyze the core principles of operant conditioning and its impact on your life. You’ll also explore how behavioral psychology theories, such as antecedents, reinforcements, and punishment, are used to shape behavior. As you go through this week’s learning materials, try to identify instances in your life where operant conditioning has been clearly at play (PSYC 6717 Discussion: Operant Conditioning).

To Prepare

1. Think about how the terminology of operant conditioning relates to specific behaviors.
2. Reflect on how your parents used reinforcement or punishment during your upbringing and how this influenced your behavior.
3. Consider how your behavior is affected by the presence of certain individuals in your life.
4. Review the interactive media in the Learning Resources, “Operant Conditioning Terms.”

By Day 4 of Week 1

Share a scenario that demonstrates the application of operant conditioning in your life. Explain how behavioral theory, including antecedents, reinforcements, and punishment, was used in this scenario to shape behavior. Describe how the antecedent conditions either facilitated or inhibited the target behavior.

Read your colleagues’ posts.

Note: In this discussion, you must post your initial response before you can see and respond to your peers’ posts. To start, click on the “To Participate in this Discussion” link, then select “Create Thread” to submit your initial post. Keep in mind that once you hit “Submit,” you can’t edit or delete your posts, and you can’t post anonymously. Please review your post carefully before clicking “Submit.”

By Day 6 of Week 1

Engage with at least two colleagues’ posts in one of these ways:

1. Elaborate on your colleagues’ explanations of how they applied behavioral theory in their scenarios.
2. Share your perspective on whether you agree or disagree with your colleagues’ interpretations of how the antecedent conditions influenced the target behavior discussed (PSYC 6717 Discussion: Operant Conditioning).

Ensure that you support your posts and responses with references to behavior-analytic theory and research. In addition to the Learning Resources, search for peer-reviewed articles in the Walden Library and on the internet to support your posts and responses. Use proper APA format and citations, including those in the Learning Resources.

Return to this discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial post. Reflect on what you’ve learned and the insights you’ve gained from your colleagues’ comments.

Operant conditioning is the idea that individuals learn to react in specific ways in particular situations (Cooper, 2019). It takes practice to achieve desired results, especially when it comes to kids. It’s also not foolproof, as in my particular case, since knowing the potential consequences was not a deterrent. Repeatedly.

During my teenage and young adult years, I was well aware of the antecedents for obtaining a driver’s license. An antecedent is a “condition” that happens before an expected behavior (Cooper, 2019). In the case of my driver’s license, the antecedents were the freedom of having my own car and the car insurance discount for good driving.

Despite being fully aware of the consequences, I couldn’t resist the temptation to roll down all the windows, play loud ZZ Top music, and drive like there were no speed limits. I believed everyone would appreciate my taste in music and wouldn’t mind if I passed them on the road. I also thought I was clever by checking for police, thinking that looking in the rearview mirror was responsible driving. But the police had a different opinion and handed me several speeding tickets in a short period.

To reduce this reckless behavior, society uses negative punishment to maintain order and safety. Negative punishment involves taking away a “stimulus” to reduce or eliminate undesirable behavior (Cooper, 2019).

In my case, two stimuli were removed: the cost of the tickets and the loss of the car insurance discount (antecedent). Once my wallet felt the impact of my reckless driving, I understood the value of antecedents and had to work hard to regain the car insurance discount. Surprisingly, car insurance companies are less forgiving than traffic court (PSYC 6717 Discussion: Operant Conditioning).

I haven’t received a ticket in over a decade, so I’ve learned my lesson, and the antecedents (being safe and saving money) now motivate me to comply with speed limits.

Reference:
Cooper, John O., Heron, Timothy, Heward, William. (2019). Third Edition. Applied Behavior Analysis. Pearson Publishing: London, UK. Pages 2-46 PSYC 6717 Discussion: Operant Conditioning.