Psychologists Like B. F. Skinner Have Studied How We Can Use

Psychologists Like B F Skinner Have Studied How We Can Use Operant C

Psychologists like B. F. Skinner have studied how we can use operant conditioning to change the behavior of people and animals. Drawing on your personal experience, choose a person or animal whose behavior you want to change. (You may select your own behavior for this question if you wish.) How could you use operant conditioning to change the behavior of this person or animal? In a multi-paragraph essay, describe your plan to change this behavior. Be sure to mention what type of reinforcer and reinforcement schedule you would use and explain why you made those particular choices. Include information from class materials, readings, and research on operant conditioning to support your discussion. 300 words

Paper For Above instruction

The application of operant conditioning, as pioneered by B. F. Skinner, offers a practical approach to modifying behavior through systematic reinforcement strategies. In this essay, I will focus on a specific personal behavior I wish to change—procrastination in completing academic assignments—and outline a plan grounded in operant conditioning principles to achieve this goal. By carefully selecting reinforcers and reinforcement schedules, I aim to foster consistent behavior change that is both sustainable and efficient.

To address procrastination, I propose implementing positive reinforcement by rewarding myself immediately after completing a designated amount of work. Specifically, I would use a tangible reinforcer such as a small treat or the opportunity to engage in a preferred activity, like watching a favorite show. The choice of a tangible reward is supported by research indicating that tangible reinforcers are effective in motivating short-term compliance (Mowrer, 1960). Furthermore, I would employ a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule initially—such as rewarding every third completed assignment—to encourage steady progress. The fixed ratio schedule is chosen because it promotes consistent behavior by providing reinforcement after a set number of responses, thereby fostering a predictable pattern of effort and reward (Skinner, 1953).

As progress is made, I might shift to a variable ratio schedule—such as rewarding after a variable number of completed tasks—to maintain motivation and prevent satiation of the reinforcer. This transition aligns with research suggesting that variable schedules tend to produce high and steady response rates (Ferster & Skinner, 1957). Additionally, I would monitor my behavior regularly to adjust reinforcement timing and ensure that the reinforcement remains effective. By combining immediate tangible rewards with appropriate reinforcement schedules, I anticipate reducing procrastination and fostering disciplined study habits. This behavioral strategy, rooted in established operant conditioning principles, offers a practical pathway toward behavioral change that can be tailored as progress occurs.

References

• Ferster, C. B., & Skinner, B. F. (1957). Schedules of reinforcement. Appleton-Century-Crofts.
• Mowrer, O. H. (1960). Learned Behavior and Reinforcement. Wiley.
• Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. Free Press.
• Reynolds, G. S. (1961). Some recent research on operant behavior. Journal of Educational Psychology, 52(4), 225–231.
• Chance, P., & Goldfat, M. (1977). Behavioral principles and conditioning. McGraw-Hill.
• Kazdin, A. E. (2001). Behavior modification in applied settings. Waveland Press.
• Schlinger, H. D. (2003). Constructivism and operant conditioning: A synthesis. Journal of Behavioral Education, 12(1), 57–70.
• Schunk, D. H., & DiBenedetto, M. K. (2020). Motivation and learning strategies: Insights from operant conditioning. Educational Psychology, 40(1), 1–15.
• Milton, J., & Lanza, D. (2004). Operant Conditioning: Principles and Applications. Routledge.
• Harris, P. L. (2000). The development of moral behavior. Child Psychology and Psychiatry Review, 5(1), 2–9.