What is operant conditioning? Discuss the features of operant conditioning.
What is operant conditioning? Discuss the features of operant conditioning.
Definition and features of operant conditioning:-
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Operant conditioning:-
B. F. Skinner published various subject matters and principles of his research in a book called Science of Human Behavior in 1935. According to Skinner, there are two types of animal behavior - respondent and operant. Behaviors that have specific stimuli - are called respondent behavior. Again, behaviors that do not have specific stimuli, and can be associated with any stimulus - are called operant or active behavior.
The word operant means a process for producing results. In this type of conditioning process, the activity and participation of the animal is essential for obtaining results.
Features of operant conditioning:-
1. Pre-preparation:-
Preparation of the animal is absolutely necessary for the production of results in the operant conditioning process. The animal's behaviors are organized through prior preparation. If the behavior is not organized in this way, productive conditioning is not possible. Skinner prepared the rat in his experiment by entering it into the "Skinner box" and creating appropriate behavior in the rat. In order to create operant conditioning in children in this way, initial preparation must be completed through prior preparation.
2. Presence of reinforcing stimuli:-
A reinforcing stimulus is the type of stimulus that fulfills the needs of the animal after the active behavior of the animal. Therefore, reinforcing stimuli are absolutely necessary to organize active conditioning. These reinforcing stimuli are of two types - positive and negative. Positive stimuli are stimuli that satisfy the needs of the individual and encourage the individual to be active in some work. On the other hand, negative stimuli encourage the animal to perform acceptable behavior instead of any particular behavior.
3. Dependence of adaptation on the persistence of the reinforcing stimulus: -
In the active or operant adaptation process, adaptation depends on the persistence of the reinforcing stimulus. In the absence of the reinforcing stimulus, the animal stops performing its goal-directed behavior. Therefore, the longer the reinforcing stimulus is presented, the more permanent the learning will be.
4. Extinction and reappearance of conditioning: -
Just as extinction of conditioning occurs in the absence of the reinforcing stimulus; similarly, the reappearance of the conditioning process occurs when the reinforcing stimulus is presented again.
5. Activity and participation of the animal is essential: -
In the operant conditioning process, the activity of the animal is essential. In this type of conditioning, the animal starts active behavior to fulfill a specific goal in view of the reinforcing stimulus and the animal is satisfied when the result is produced.
6. Schedule:-
Active stimuli and the activity of the animal depend on the stability of the reinforcing stimulus. To maintain the conditioned behavior, the reinforcing stimulus must be presented at a specific time. The process of presenting the reinforcing stimulus at a specific time is called a schedule.
7. Unnecessity of reinforcement:-
In the case of active conditioning, many times normal behavior is performed without the reinforcement of the stimulus. As seen in Skinner's experiment, after giving the rat food in the food tray several times, the rat is no longer trying to press the lever. Then the rat is taken out of the Skinner box. But if the rat is re-entered into the box after a certain time interval, the rat is seen trying to press the lever again.
8. Presence of stimulus after the animal's activity:-
In active or operant conditioning, the reinforcing stimulus is presented after the animal's activity. This reinforcing stimulus is presented primarily to increase the likelihood of repetition. In Skinner's experiment, food appears in the rat's tray after the rat is active and presses the lever.
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