Skinner’s Operant Conditioning Theory



Skinner’s learning method of operant conditioning happens in terms of rewards and punishments for behavior. According to Skinner (1938) with the help of operant conditioning, a person makes an association between a particular behavior and a consequence and therefore, it causes of voluntary behavior and accordingly its consequences. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory was basically based on Thorndike’s (1898) “Law of Effect” theory which is a behavior followed by positive consequences is likely to be repeated whereas a behavior which is followed by unpleasant consequences is less likely to be repeated. However, Skinner coined a new term into the Thorndike’s “Law of Effect” namely as “reinforcement” which stands for the behavior that is reinforced is likely to be repeated while the behavior which is not reinforced is likely to die out.
In terms of basic principles of operant conditioning, positive reinforcement is strengthening a behavior by also increasing the probability that it will possibly reoccur by means of presenting a positive stimulus immediately after the behavior occurs whereas negative reinforcement is strengthening a behavior by also increasing the probability that it will possibly reoccur by means of removing a negative stimulus immediately after the behavior occurs. In essence, both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement increase the probability of a behavior which they follow while positive punishment and negative punishment reduce the probability of behavior which they follow.
Regarding schedules of reinforcement,  fixed interval schedule is a reinforcement of a desired behavior which happens only after a specific amount of time elapses, therefore reinforcement is related to a fixed time whereas variable interval schedule is a reinforcement of a desired behavior which occurs only after variable intervals of time elapses so time between reinforcement varies. Moreover, fixed ratio schedule is a reinforcement of a desired behavior which happens only after a specific number of those responses are made, thus reinforcement is related to a definite number of responses. And also variable ratio schedule is a reinforcement of a desired behavior that occurs only after variable numbers of responses are made, hence number of responses needed for reinforcement varies.
Furthermore, punishment is the opposite of reinforcement due to the fact that it is aimed to either weaken or eliminate a response instead of increase it, yet there are some disadvantages of punishments since behavior that is punished is not forgotten yet it is suppressed, therefore behavior comes back when punishment is no longer present. And also punishment can create fear which can generalize to undesirable behaviors. Finally, extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior decreases in frequency and ceases altogether eventually due to the fact that reinforcement is withheld. In other words, extinction involves ignoring an undesired behavior.
In terms of educational implications, in order to shape children’s behavior by means of appropriate use of reinforcement or rewards, operant conditioning can be used. Extinction can be successful by teachers in order to eliminate negative behavior of students in the classroom environment. However, it should also be born in mind that operant conditioning is related to shaping skill performance, therefore, it applies to issues of class as well as student management, instead of learning content.

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