Positive Reinforcement College Essays Samples For Students

The theory of operant conditioning created by behaviorist B.F. Skinner explains that a behavior can be understood by looking at the external apparent causes of an action and the related consequences resulting from that action. Skinner's theory was inspired by the Law of Effect theory of Edward Thorndike, but he added one additional component to Thorndike's law of effect and that is Reinforcement (McLeod, 2007). Reinforcement is of four types - positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment and extinction. According to Skinner, behavior can be reinforced through rewards and punishment. Both positive and negative reinforcement strengthen a behavior and encourage it to ...

Affiliated University

The mother intends to change her children's level of consumption of peas. She hopes to make her children want more of that commodity than the current quantity. The mother wants to influence her children's appetitive behavior (Pittman, 2009).
The mother uses positive reinforcement to shift her children's level of peas’ consumption from low to high level. Positive reinforcement is evident because the child who shows a higher affinity for peas receives a reward. On the other hand, the child who maintains a constant or even lower level of appetite does not receive any reward. There is no direct negative ...

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In a daily routine life, people unconsciously learn by using classical and operant conditioning. The source of many fears, such as fear from animals and fear from public appearance is closely connected with the classical or operant conditioning. However, not only negative experiences are associated with conditioning, but positive one as well. Classical and operant conditioning are essential for understanding the close connection between our inner self and the surrounding.
One of the elementary principles of learning is classical conditioning. Classical conditioning is a reflexive or automatic type of learning where, in time, one stimulus takes over the possibility of ...

Background of the Case Study

The case concerns James, a student who used to get Bs on his weekly quizzes. Nevertheless, James failed his succeeding quizzes after being confused and consequently failing in one of his former quizzes. James lost his motivation after this but after encouragement from his teacher Ms. Khan, he looked for ways to overcome this challenge. Considering the scenario, the objective of this discussion is to integrate psychological theories in education or learning to the case of James in order to further understand the circumstances surrounding his situation. In the succeeding discussion, James’ situation will be explored and analysed using theories ...

There are numerous ways to handle or react to various situations in human life, personal or professional. These ways are termed as behavior. It can be anything; general ways of life, responding to certain stimulus, responding to challenges, responding to social needs etc. These behavior is considered very important for success in any one’s action and reaction. Especially in case of management where there are great theories and defined ways of completion available, it becomes very vital that professionals have the right set of behaviors so that probability of success gets increased. There is a lot of academic resources ...

In Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior (2012), Coon and Mitterer write, “The principles of operant conditioning [] are among the most powerful tools in psychology” (pg. 226). The definition of operant conditioning is a form of learning in which reinforcement increases the probability of a response. A response that is followed by a reinforcing stimulus is more likely to reoccur. Operant conditioning is explains much day-to-day behavior. Every individual lives his or her life according to the reinforcement they receive after performing an action. This kind of learning is operant conditioning—“learning based on the consequences of responding” (Coon & Mitterer, ...

Reinforcement

Reinforcement is increasing the likelihood of repeating an action by providing reinforcements that would increase ones desire to repeat the action. Reinforcement is central to the concept of operant conditioning developed by psychologist B.F. Skinner. According to him there are different ways of and effects of reinforcement.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the act of adding something to the current environment that could increase once desire to do something. Positive reinforcers could be tangible things, intangible or both. Positive reinforcement can be use in different situations to meet desired outputs. When using positive reinforcements, the reinforcer given is not enough to ...

Learning allows our brains to record and preserve beneficial behaviors and know how to avoid harmful ones. The consequences of the experiences we have or observe are stored in our memory as knowledge to influence our future behavior. The paper explores behavior change through a focus on the learning theories; classical and operant conditioning.

Operant Conditioning

It is a form of learning in which the response to a voluntary behavior influences whether or not the behavior will recur; this occurs through the use of reinforcements and punishment. Following the experiments of B. F. Skinner, we can conclude that a person or ...

PART A- Operant Conditioning Theory

Operant conditioning is a theory on behaviorism that was formulated by behavioral psychologist, B.F. Skinner. It focuses on an individual's changes in observable behavior. According to B.F. Skinner, once a behavior is followed by reinforcement, it is more likely to be repeated; however, if it is followed by punishment then it is not likely to be repeated (Plotnik, R., & Kouyoumdjian, 2014).
Bobby is a seven-year old child who is used to getting gifts from his parents every now and then right from a tender age. Every time his mother decides to go to the mall, she takes him with ...

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The following discussion will examine aspects of learning and motivation.

Positive and Negative Reinforcement
The reinforcing contingencies of positive and negative reinforcement provides the motivation for employees to repeat certain desireable behaviors. (Hitt, Colella and Miller, 2014)
Positive reinforcement is the external stimulus from people or organizations which moves a person to do something willingly because he feels pleasure or is expecting to gain from his action. When we recognize that there is a cause and effect pattern that is consistently bringing us good feelings or benefits, then we normally respond positively to the action and even encourage its recurrence.
Common examples abound in all stages ...

Development Through Operant or Classical Conditioning

Phobias and Addictions:
Development Through Operant or Classical Conditioning
How and why phobias and addictions develop are a continual area of research for psychologists and their colleagues in related fields. While many theories exist as to why people have phobias or become addicted, including genetic predisposition and others, the roles of classical conditioning and operant conditioning in the conditions of phobias and addictions is an important area to explore because it provides more information on why the conditions exist and new possibilities in treatment. Phobias can be developed through classical conditioning and addictions can be developed through operant ...

Psychology of Criminal Behavior

In the contemporary world, not a day goes by without numerous reports of acts contrary to the law thus obliging the criminal justice system to play its indispensable role in comprehending and rehabilitating offenders into law-abiding citizens. Renowned psychologists such as John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner as well as Edward Thorndike through their theories in fields of behaviorism and operant conditioning exemplify the underlying concept by which the Criminal Justice System is founded. This paper thus seeks to describe the theories of behaviorism and operant conditioning in relation to the criminal justice system. I will succinctly analyze how these theories ...

Learning and training a person or animal to behave a certain way can sometimes be tricky. Depending on the subject, mere instruction is not enough. At times the subject may require added motivation to learn or accept the training. In order to handle situation such as these, psychologists came up with what is known as operant conditioning, a system of rewards and punishments that allow the subject to be trained behaviorally.
Operant conditioning is a simple concept to understand. It is a learning technique, occurring through the practice of rewards and punishments for certain behaviors. Operant conditioning allows the subject to associate good ...

Human behaviour is one of the most studied subjects in the world today. The complexity of human behaviour has elicited a colossal amount of research by psychologists seeking to understand some of the behavioral trends exhibited by human beings. Consequently, these psychologists have advanced several theories that explain some of the fundamental aspects of human behaviour. Behaviorism is primarily concerned with observable human behaviour. Theories of behaviorism emphasize behavioral changes that result from a stimulus-response association that is made by a learner. The proponents of this theory regard all human behaviour as a sort of response to natural stimuli (Becker, 1963). The immediate ...

Grand Canyon University

Dear Future Parents,
I want to welcome you to the start of a wonderful school year that will be packed full of adventures and positive (but challenging) learning experiences for your child. Through your compassion, support and consistency with your child you will be creating the foundations to a better future. This is because through your continued efforts your child will have the ability to become a more prestigious individual that can maximize his or full potential in not only school but in life.
My class will be at a critical stage in the development of your child, socially, cognitively and ...

[Faculty]
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Abstract

Different theorists have come up with different ways of assessing and demystifying the issue of hate crimes. Many of them have proposed theories that have been used in detailing what happens when a certain choice is made in place of another. For example, in the case Sigmund Freud’s theory, it is noted that individuals are faced with a psychological choice on either to fulfill their inner desire of pleasure without regard on the consequences or to become socially conscious in every decision made including the actions taken. Skinner (1978) on the other have focuses on ...

The objective of this paper is to address to questions raised at the end of the captioned case study.

Question 1: Which motivation theory(s) do you think would help communicate the importance of vacation time to your employees?
I would use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, positive reinforcement and expectancy theory to help communicate the importance of vacation time to my employees. Maslow’s hierarchy of need will help emphasise the need of being social and role of family in building intimacy and belongingness. The communication will work towards need creation in the employees mind to crave for family timing and time to retrospect. I will use the expectancy theory to make them believe that vacations benefit ...

What examples of positive and negative reinforcement and punishment do you notice? What schedule of reinforcement is being used?

Firstly, Sheldon tries to argue with Penny. However, this negative method has no results, and he decides to give her chocolates as positive reinforcement for what he considered good behavior. This method is often used with dogs and it really works. When Leonard notices that, he wants Sheldon to stop making experiment with his girlfriend. As a result, the other negative reinforcement is used by Sheldon- he sprays water into Leonard’s face. Finally, Sheldon understand, that the best positive reinforcement is sex, as Penny could easily modify Leonard’s behavior with it.

Will Penny’s changes last?

Her behavior changes a bit, she ...

“Performance management systems, which typically include performance appraisal and employee development, are the “Achilles’ heel” of human resources management. They suffer flaws in many organizations, with employees and managers regularly bemoaning their ineffectiveness” (Pulakos, 2004). Performance management involves planning, and employee input to determine methods and techniques to improve the performance of employees and align these improvements with organizational goals. In this paper, the internal and external job roles and responsibilities of retail sales associates will be highlighted, an organizational modification plan that can be used to encourage specified behaviors in the retail sales associate capacity, methods for measuring ...

Spring, 2016

I was raised in the conservative Christian family in the atmosphere of strict rules and respect toward elder people, especially toward parents. My mother is a nurse and my father is a pharmacist. I also have one younger and one elder brother.
My parents raised me and my brothers using authoritative parental style. They were highly controlling and demanding and disciplined us for minor misconducts. However, I`m very glad that my parents were so strict, demanding and controlling they made me a good and respectful person.
The theory of Skinner can be applied to how my parents raised ...

In the world today, there are people that have the desire to live according to society’s rules so as to keep from being the odd person out, and that desire is even stronger today than it was 25 years ago.
People either scramble into groups or are put into them because of how the world views them or how they grew up, and both have a critical impact on how a person views the world or the people around them.
There are also other evils in the world or about society that makes people yearn to be loved, ...

PROFESSORINSTITUTION

Operant Conditioning 2
Introduction
Operant conditioning is a type of learning where a subject’s behavior is modified through antecedents and consequences. The concept was first discovered by Ivan Pavlov who was studying the digestive system of dogs. The theory of behaviorism was introduced by John B. Watson. Later, B.F. Skinner helped define the mechanics of behaviorism through his work. Over the years behaviorism has grown in popularity and scope. Research has shaped the practice of behaviorism as it has been adapted by many disciplines (education, psychology). The most popular use of Behavioral Therapy today is found in treating ...

For ages, humans have used shaping procedures for training their young ones, people around them, as well as their pet animals. Shaping procedure (operant conditioning) in animals and humans uses rewards as stimulants to induce the idea and behavior while targeting the result, which is behavior change. Shaping procedure is the idea of emphasizing on the successive guesses to the final response. The procedure allows a trainer to move from an ‘it cannot be done’ situation to a ‘done’ position. In Most cases, the trainer is forced to shape a behavior pattern in an animal where it does not frequently occur or ...

Psychology

Description of Classical conditioning and operant conditioning
Classical and operant conditioning are two learning theories extensively studied in psychology. Classical conditioning involves a response to a certain stimulus. Reflexive responses are brought under control of stimulus actions that usually herald the response (Klein & Mowrer, 2009). A certain event provokes a response.
A once neutral stimulus is matched with an unconditioned stimulus. In classical conditioning, learning occurs through interactions with the environment and the environment shapes behavior thus feelings, thoughts, and emotions are assumed irrelevant in explaining a particular behavior. On the other hand, operant conditioning is learning that occurs when an ...

Introduction

The study of behavior and the behavioral change is an important area of interest in the contemporary psychology. The paper is based upon the experience of bringing self-directed positive change in my procrastinative behavior. The experience relevant to the paper is generated and studies on the basis of the Stages of Change Model (Demetriou & Raftopoulos, 2000, pp.23). The behavior can be modified in a process comprised of five steps. At the Precontemplation stage, one may or may not be aware of his/her problem. In transitioning to the Contemplation stage, one thinks about the behavioral problem and decided to change it. ...

The ability of human beings and animals to adapt to their environment has ensured their continued existence. Adaptation results from learning to associate events and conditions with consequences. Through learning, organisms gain experience about those conditions, situations, and behaviors which are favorable to survival and which are not. The basic mechanism by which learning occurs has not changed. B. F. Skinner demonstrated this mechanism through experiments with a boxed rat (Feldman 184). His ideas, referred to as operant conditioning and consisting of the principles of reinforcement and punishment, are as relevant and useful today as when the findings were initially ...

Introduction

Operant conditioning or instrumental conditioning is type of learning which involves the modification of individual’s behavior through consequences. Individual’s behavior might be maneuvered in strength, frequency and form. Based on bedroom reading, being in bed means one is reading while in his or her bed. This is usually a good way of getting to sleep especially when reading is boring. It does not necessarily means that one is seated but also lying in bed. Being in bed and asleep means that one is in bed and he or she is totally slumbering. That is, his or her common ...

Identifying emotional and social behavioral problems in students is necessary for children to have the best developmental outcomes. If the problems continue to persist overtime that are harder to change as children get older. Through numerous research that are strong correlations that exist between childhood behavior problems that continue into delinquency, and finally criminality. Letting children behavioral problems persist can lead to developmental problem that place children at a higher risk of emotional and social problems, underachievement in school that leads to school dropout, and other serious issues. There are various factors that are needed in and outside of the classroom ...

Hierarchy of Needs Theory was created Abraham Maslow. It advocates for the fulfillment of Employee needs in terms of the lowest to the highest need. In the Hierarchy of Needs Theory, Maslow states that individuals are motivated by their needs. It is said to be the most known and probably the most used by management (Shaub, 5). His five levels of motivation are physical, social, esteem and self-actualization. As long as these needs are satisfied, Maslow says that workers will have fulfillment at work. He goes to further say that only when the lower level of need is fully ...

Juvenile delinquency ranks among the top social menaces in the modern world. Apparently, the menace is rampant in the developed world, where young people are exposed to a variety of novel ways of doing things. The effectiveness of the juvenile justice programs has been a topic of concern for a considerably long time. According to gurus in the field of rehabilitation, the programs could be more effective if they embraced the ten evidence based practice principles and rehabilitation approaches (Martin, 2005). This paper discusses the ten principles in light of juvenile rehabilitation.

Assess the actuarial risk and need

In the context of juvenile rehabilitation, assessing the risk concerns ...

Abstract

My disposition toward adult learning is very much situated toward behaviorist adult learning theories and the notion of learners being engaged with the material and the instructor in classroom practice. Through active engagement with the subjects at hand, critical thinking skills are applied and I actually have their attention. This is accomplished through varying activities, as well as debate and discussion fuelled by logic and reasoning; the emphasis on positive learning behaviors and developing them is at the heart of my teaching.

In my own study of adult learning and adult education, I have come across many different ways ...

Psychological perspective: Cognitive Perspective.

Thesis Statement: This paper will analyze the specific factors that cause depression according to the cognitive theory, the development process of depression and the cognitive therapy that can be used to treat depression.
1) Introduction

This part of the essay will include

a) The introduction and an explanation of the importance of the cognitive perspective
b) The definition of the cognitive theory and the thesis statement
2) 2nd paragraph - An analysis of the specific factors of thinking that causes depression according to the cognitive theory i.e.
a) Belief
b) Desires
c) Ideas, knowledge and motivation
3) 3rd paragraph- Development process of depression ...

On two recent occasions, I recall giving unspecific feedback that left the learner with more confusion than clarity. On both occasions, I provided feedback face-to-face to the learners. On one occasion, I criticized an approach that informed the patient about his medical condition. From my perspective, the learner was not sensitive to the patient’s circumstances and failed to deliver the information in an understandable manner. I stated that the approach was too formal, and that talking with patients required more elaboration on conditions with fewer medical terms. On the other occasion, I provided positive feedback after hearing the ...

History of the Study of Organizational Behavior: Individual Work Motivation

In light of the diverse workforce at our organization, we have put in place a mandatory training program provided to all employees. The objectives of this training are to instill an appreciation of working with colleagues from a variety of cultures, social backgrounds, and belief systems. Not only focused on presenting the legislation enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the training is designed to provide appreciation of the spirit behind these laws which make it illegal to discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information. Having run for some time now, the results ...