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Related Concept Videos

Operant Conditioning Intervention01:24

Operant Conditioning Intervention

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Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
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Operant Conditioning01:21

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Operant conditioning, a key concept in behavioral psychology, involves using reinforcement and punishment to alter the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. B.F. introduced this type of conditioning. Skinner focused on voluntary behaviors and the consequences that follow them, influencing whether these behaviors will be strengthened or diminished.
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Behaviorism01:28

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The field of behaviorism was pioneered by figures such as Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner fundamentally shifted the focus of psychology to the observable and controllable aspects of human and animal behavior. This shift marked a critical evolution in the discipline, emphasizing scientific rigor and experimental methodology.
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Law of Effect01:06

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B.F. Skinner, a prominent figure in behavioral psychology, introduced operant conditioning by emphasizing the role of consequences in shaping behavior. This theory builds upon the law of effect proposed by Edward Thorndike, which posits that behaviors followed by satisfying outcomes are likely to be repeated. In contrast, those followed by unsatisfying outcomes are less likely to recur.
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Role of Shaping in Operant Conditioning01:19

Role of Shaping in Operant Conditioning

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Shaping is a technique used in operant conditioning to train complex behaviors by rewarding successive approximations toward the target behavior. This method is necessary because organisms are unlikely to perform complex behaviors spontaneously. Instead, shaping breaks down the desired behavior into small, manageable steps.
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Generalization, Discrimination, and Extinction01:24

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Generalization, discrimination, and extinction are key concepts in operant conditioning that influence how behaviors are learned and maintained.
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Related Experiment Video

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Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse
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Extending stimulus preference assessment with the operant demand framework.

Shawn P Gilroy1, Jodie A Waits1, Cassie Feck1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University.

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|March 11, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study used behavioral economics to assess how preferred items function as reinforcers. Elasticity of demand accurately predicted behavior rates, supporting its use in evaluating reinforcer efficacy.

Keywords:
behavioral economicsreinforcer efficacystimulus preference assessment

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral economics
  • Operant conditioning
  • Reinforcement psychology

Background:

  • Stimulus preference (SP) and reinforcer efficacy (RE) assessments are crucial for understanding behavior.
  • Behavioral economics offers tools to quantify the value of reinforcers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply the behavioral economic concept of elasticity of demand to compare RE across different stimuli and reinforcement schedules.
  • To investigate the relationship between elasticity ranges and targeted behavior rates.

Main Methods:

  • Stimulus preference assessments identified highly preferred stimuli.
  • Progressive-ratio reinforcer assessments evaluated reinforcer efficacy.
  • Individual reinforcer evaluations examined elasticity across demand ranges.

Main Results:

  • Elasticity of demand effectively compared reinforcer efficacy across stimuli and schedules.
  • Inelastic and elastic demand ranges corresponded with specific rates of targeted behavior.
  • Observed trends aligned with behavioral economic predictions.

Conclusions:

  • Elasticity of demand is a valuable tool for assessing reinforcer efficacy and predicting behavior.
  • Operant demand methods and elasticity analysis can enhance understanding of reinforcement.
  • Further research is needed to explore boundary conditions for SP-identified stimuli.