Briefly Describe How The Principle Of Selection Applies To T
Briefly Describe How The Principle Of Selection Applies To The Develop
Briefly describe how the principle of selection applies to the development of operant behavior. (Note: You must include ALL required readings for this week and include 1 outside reference to earn full credit! Also remember you must respond to peer to earn full credit.) These are the reading that have to be reference in the discussion. 220 words Science and Human Behavior: Chapter 4 About Behaviorism: Chapter 3 From a Behavioral Point of View: Chapter 3 Miller, Rodriguez, and Rourke (2015). Do mirrors facilitate acquisition of motor imitation in children diagnosed with autism? (PDF)
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The principle of selection, rooted in behavioral science, explains how organisms develop specific behaviors through differential reinforcement and consequences. In the context of operant behavior, this principle suggests that behaviors are selectively maintained, strengthened, or weakened based on their consequences, such as reinforcement or punishment (Skinner, 1953). Essentially, behaviors that produce desirable outcomes are more likely to be repeated and become ingrained within an individual’s repertoire (Chance, 2014).
From the readings, particularly in Science and Human Behavior (Chapter 4), the concept of selection is emphasized as a process where environmental contingencies shape behavior over time. For example, when a child receives praise after imitating a motor action, this reinforces the imitation behavior, increasing its likelihood of recurrence. Similarly, in About Behaviorism (Chapter 3), Skinner discusses how operant behavior develops as a product of an evolutionary-like process where environmental factors “select” certain behaviors over others. This selection process explains why behaviors such as motor imitation or social interactions are acquired through reinforcement histories.
In From a Behavioral Point of View (Chapter 3), the authors highlight the importance of contingencies in shaping development. Miller, Rodriguez, and Rourke’s (2015) study on mirror use and motor imitation in children with autism further illustrates this principle; children tend to imitate more often when their actions are reinforced, demonstrating the role of selection in behavioral development. The outside reference by Lovaas (1987) supports that intensive reinforcement-based interventions significantly influence behavioral acquisition, consistent with the evolutionary selection analogy in behaviorism.
Overall, the principle of selection guides the development of operant behaviors by illustrating how environmental contingencies effectively “select” for certain behaviors, leading to learned and stable response patterns over time. This process underscores the significance of reinforcement history in individual development, aligning with the theoretical frameworks discussed in the assigned readings.
References
Chance, P. (2014). Learning and Behavior (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(1), 3–9.
Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. Free Press.
Miller, S. S., Rodriguez, N., & Rourke, B. P. (2015). Do mirrors facilitate acquisition of motor imitation in children diagnosed with autism? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(2), 565–574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2192-3