Operant condition refers to a learning approach that takes place when punishments or rewards are administered for a particular kind of behavior. This concept was developed by Skinny to explain various ways in which behavior can be modified in both people and animals (Mazur, 2016). Principles of operant conditioning enhance behavioral modifications that aim to shape the behavior of a person through specified response actions. It is believed that actions or behaviors that lead to desired outcomes are more likely to be repeated to ensure that the same results are achieved. Behavior therapists apply this principle by relating a particular behavior and a consequence that entails positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment.
Positive reinforcement assists in promoting particular behaviors through a reward system. For example, a top performing employee can be praised or given a bonus for the work performed. The rewarding for desirable behavior helps to discourage undesired behavior because each person will strive to be rewarded. For example, rewarding of punctual employees will deter others from reporting late to work.
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Negative reinforcement entails the removal of outcomes or events that are unfavorable following the exhibition of specific behavior (Martin, & Pear, 2015). A response is stimulated to remove the unpleasant behavior in a person. For instance, behavior therapists will advise that actions by a parent to buy a bar of chocolate for a child who screams during shopping to keep quiet will lead to such actions by the child in the next shopping.
Lastly, punishment is applied by the behavior therapist to decrease the occurrence of the adverse behavior exhibited by a person. Positive punishment assists in weakening unfavorable behavior or outcome in a person. For example, a person can be spanked for misbehaving. Negative punishment helps in removing unfriendly behavior in an individual. For instance, the therapist will advise that a video game is taken from a child after misbehaving or spending too much time while playing instead of studying.
References
Martin, G., & Pear, J. J. (2015). Behavior modification: What it is and how to do it. Psychology Press.
Mazur, J. E. (2016). Learning & behavior. Routledge.
