To prepare for this discussion, please read Chapter 5 of your textbook. In addition, watch Classical and Operant Conditioning. Finally, review Instructor Guidance and Announcements. In this discussion, you will consider learning from a psychological perspective by explaining operant conditioning and applying it to a real-life scenario. Be sure to use your own academic voice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and apply in-text citations (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. appropriately throughout your post.
- Discuss learning. In your discussion, include the following:
- Describe operant conditioning.
- Select one of the following situations from everyday life in which learning (i.e. a relatively permanent change in behavior) is desirable.
- Margot wants her husband, Todd, to stop leaving his dirty laundry on the floor.
- Coach K wants to increase his basketball players’ free throw percentages.
- Mr. Moore wants his dog to stop jumping up on visitors.
- Biggs Boss wants his employees to arrive on time.
- Mrs. O’Neill wants her preschoolers to raise their hands before speaking.
- Joe wants his son to earn good grades.
- Jack wants his girlfriend, Jill, to show more affection.
- Marty wants his friend, Dave, to stop smoking.
- Insert your own situation: ____________________________________
- Prepare a behavior modification plan in which you effectively utilize operant conditioning principles to change the behavior of the targeted individual(s).
- Clearly identify and describe suitable reinforcers or punishers to attain your desired outcome.
- Example: If I want my son to eat his vegetables (i.e., increase a desired behavior), I could do several things.
- If he eats his vegetables, I could apply a positive reinforcer by adding something he does like, such as screen time; alternatively, I could apply a negative reinforcer by taking away something he does not like, such as one of his weekly chores.
- If he does not eat his vegetables, I could apply a positive punisher by adding something he does not like, such as a new weekly chore; alternatively, I could apply a negative punisher by taking away something he does like, such as screen time.
- Defend your use of reinforcement and/or punishment as applied to the scenario. Why did you choose it? Why do you expect it to work?
- Apply your knowledge of ethical considerations as relevant to operant conditioning.
- Remember to use your own academic voice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and apply in-text citations (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. appropriately throughout your post.
Post your initial response of 250 words or more
