Operant conditioning is a learning method in which behavior is enhanced through reward or punishment. In this method, an association between behavior and a consequence for that behavior is used to either depress or encourage a particular behavior. There are two concepts applied in operant conditioning, reinforcement, and punishment. The two components can either be positive or negative, and they a significant impact on the outcome of behavior.
Positive reinforcement encourages the behavior by rewarding it while negative reinforcement involves the removal of unpleasant event to encourage the outcome of behavior. On the other hand, positive punishment aims to discourage a specific behavior by presenting unfavorable consequence to that behavior such as spanking for misbehavior (McLeod, 2007). Negative punishment involves removal of a favorable condition or event when a certain behavior is portrayed. For instance, taking away a teen’s laptop for failing to clean the dishes is a form of negative punishment.
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The four concepts can be used to mitigate bullying behavior. In a school set up for instance, the initial step would be to identify the bullies in the school. Often, the vice goes on unreported because the bullies threaten their victims. It is would, therefore, be crucial to encourage students to come up and speak against the vice and report the bullies to the teachers. This behavior can be inspired by rewarding those courageous enough to report the bullies. Once the bullies are identified, the teachers can discourage behavior through several methods.
First, the bullies can be punished for their behavior (Burchard, & Tyler 1964). For instance, detention after classes and extra homework for the bullies would be useful in curbing reoccurrence of the behavior. Also, loss of recess time for the bullies would mitigate the bullying behavior in a school setup. In this approach, it would be critical for the teachers to monitor improvement in behavior and reinforce it accordingly. For instance, reinstating recess time for the bullies after showing improvement in behavior and praising them in class for improved behavior.
Encouraging the victims to report bullying by rewarding them portrays positive reinforcement while reinstating the recess time for the bullies is a form of negative reinforcement. Also, detention and extra homework for the bullies are a form of positive punishment while reducing recess time is negative punishment. The above strategy would be adequate to modify the behavior of bullies, thus mitigate bullying in schools.
References
Burchard, J., & Tyler Jr, V. (1964). The modification of delinquent behaviour through operant conditioning. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 2(2-4), 245-250.
McLeod, S. A. (2007). Bf skinner: Operant conditioning. Retrieved September, 9, 2009.
