Question

Preparation

Identify a goal that you have for yourself. It could be personal, financial, professional, educational, or health related. Think specifically and realistically about the goal. For example, for a person who wanted to lose 25 pounds, it would not be realistic to plan to lose 20 pounds in one week. Once you have identified your specific and realistic goal, think about how operant conditioning behavioral learning principles can be used to help you reach the goal. Create a plan for meeting the goal by applying operant conditioning behavioral learning principles

Describe a plan for meeting a goal. Include the following elements in the description of your change plan:

•Describe the specific goal.

•Describe how the concept of "shaping" (a behavioral learning theory term) can be employed to help in incremental progress toward the goal. Identify what reinforcers (both primary and secondary) you could apply to make progress toward the goal.

•Describe the schedule of reinforcement for the application of the reinforcers. For example, the person losing weight (described in Option B) might treat himself to a movie for the first week where he exercised for at least 40 minutes each day. In this case, the movie would be a positive primary reinforcer delivered on a fixed ratio schedule.

Include the following information:

•Provide an introduction that discusses operant conditioning behavioral learning principles and how they are relevant to changing behavior.

•Identify a specific target goal for a behavior change plan.

•Describe a behavioral plan.

•Describe how the behavior can be shaped through operant conditioning principles.

•Identify and apply specific reinforcers that are part of the plan.

•Apply a schedule of reinforcement that would be used for each reinforcer that is part of the plan.

Answer 1

Introduction: Operant conditioning was first extensively studied by Edward L. Thorndike. Operant conditioning deals with modification of voluntary behavior through the use of consequences. Here, consequences modify the occurrence and form of behavior.

Let us consider four contexts of operant conditioning:

Reinforcement and punishments are core tools of operant conditioning, which are either positive or negative.

1.   Positive reinforcement. This occurs when a response (behavior) followed by favorable stimulus, that increases the frequency of behavior. Example: Giving a treat for securing high grade in test.

2. Negative reinforcement. This occurs when a response (behavior) is followed by removal of an unpleasant stimulus. Example: Reducing the strict rules to be followed in hostel if overall conduct is good.

3. Positive punishment. This occurs when a response (behavior) is followed by an aversive stimulus resulting in decrease in that behavior. Example: Penalizing the individual for driving without following lane discipline.

4. Negative punishment. This occurs when a response (behavior) is followed by removal of favorable stimulus. Example: Reducing privileges given to the individual in hostel for drop in performance.

Goal: Achieve academic excellence and reflecting the same with scores. This goal is further divided into steps as to achieve comfortably. Division of goals step by step:

(i)   Achieve good grades in unit level tests.

(ii) Achieve good remarks in internal assignments.

(iii) Gain good understanding of field work through effective participation.

(iv) Achieve good score in mid-term examination.

(v) Take motivation from above stages and achieve high scores in final examination.

As mentioned above, operant conditioning deals with modification of behavior through reinforcements and punishments; this is also known as shaping of behavior. It is step by step approach towards the intended goal by reinforcements.

Primary reinforcers here are benefits of knowledge gain, pride of called as topper. Secondary reinforcers are having some additional privileges by being topper and also avoidance of job search as more chances of getting employed due to high performance. Further moving in depth about reinforcements, let us consider reinforcement for incremental progress towards goal and the schedules.

(a)   At the first step of achieving goal, there is need to have good grades in unit level tests. Here having complementing self about successfully scoring high in unit test and feel of pride will serve as positive reinforcement. Learning behavior is highly influenced by improved self-image in the class and recognition among the peers.

(b) Achieving good remarks in internal assignments will require gaining thorough knowledge about topic and presentation skills. Here, good remarks will serve as positive reinforcement as this will provide pride and further guidance. Behavior modification can be in the form of enhanced interest to pursue study and reduction in fear of failure.

(c) Participation in field work and effective learning through practicum will enhance learning and essential for academic success. Here achieving good complement by field supervisors and peers will enhance confidence and serves as positive reinforcement. Behavior here modified in terms of perceiving learning as enjoyable process rather tough academic process.

(d) Scoring high in term examination will be actual goal and indication of academic excellence. Elimination of fear of examination serves as negative reinforcement. Also, feel of pride by scoring high and getting good employment serve as positive reinforcement. After achieving the intended goal, the behavior here will be transformed from doubtful individual to learned and confident individual.