Behavioral Theory PDF

Behavioral Theory  Behaviorism as a theory was primarily developed by B. F. Skinner. Skinner believed that the best way to understand behavior is to look at the causes of an action and its consequences. He called this approach operant conditioning.  Skinner (1948) studied operant...

Behavioral Theory  Behaviorism as a theory was primarily developed by B. F. Skinner. Skinner believed that the best way to understand behavior is to look at the causes of an action and its consequences. He called this approach operant conditioning.  Skinner (1948) studied operant conditioning by conducting experiments using animals which he placed in a 'Skinner Box' B.F. Skinner coined the term operant conditioning; it means roughly changing of behavior by the use of reinforcement which is given after the desired response.  Skinner identified two types of responses or operant that can follow behavior. Reinforces Punishers  Reinforces  Responses from the environment that increase the probability of a behavior being repeated. Reinforces can be either positive or negative. Punishers  Responses from the environment that decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Punishment weakens behavior.  Positive Reinforcement Skinner showed how positive reinforcement worked by placing a hungry rat in his Skinner box. The box contained a lever in the side and as the rat moved about the box it would accidentally knock the lever. Immediately it did so a food pellet would drop into a container next to the lever. Skinner box The rats quickly learned to go straight to the lever after a few times of being put in the box. The consequence of receiving food if they pressed the lever ensured that they would repeat the action again and again.  Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by providing a consequence an individual finds rewarding. For example, if your teacher gives you £5 each time you complete your homework (i.e. a reward) you are more likely to repeat this behavior in the future, thus strengthening the behavior of completing your homework. Negative Reinforcement The removal of an unpleasant reinforce can also strengthen behavior. This is known as negative reinforcement because it is the removal of an adverse stimulus which is ‘rewarding’ to the animal. Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior because it stops or removes an unpleasant experience.  Skinner again experimented with rats to show how negative reinforcement can also strengthen behavior. Skinner placed the rat inside the box and a sent electric current into the box, as the rat moved around the box it would knock the lever by accident and the electric current would stop. The rats soon learned that when they were placed in the box to go straight to the lever to turn off the electric current. Knowing they could escape the electric current caused the rats to repeatedly go to the lever. Not only were the rats taught to stop the electric current but also to avoid it completely. Skinner eventually taught the rats to press the lever when a light came on in the box which would stop the electric current before it even started. Behavior Modification by Changing Consequences Behavior modification therapy is much used in clinical and educational psychology, particularly with people with learning difficulties. In the conventional learning situation it applies largely to issues of class- and student management, rather than to learning content. It is very relevant to shaping skill performance.  Behavior modification typically consists of changing the consequences of an action or applying new consequences to guide behavior.  In the past, most parents chose to control the behavior of their children by using negative reinforcement, that is, misbehavior or disregarding house rules resulted in punishments. Today, many parents (and even school systems and other childhood authorities) are inclined to provide positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior.  A simple way of giving positive reinforcement in behavior modification is in providing compliments, approval, encouragement, and affirmation.