Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is learning theory or a learning process which was studied by Edward Thorndkike but later expanded and made famous by B.F Skinner which emphasize on reinforcement and punishment. His main idea was behaviour can be strengthened or weakened by its consequences. This theory suggests that we are more or less likely to show our behaviour depending upon its consequences. Consequences of the behaviour are either reward or punish. We individuals repeatedly show behaviors if there are positive outcomes and avoid those leading to unpleasant ones. B.F Skinner believes that people learn not only from what they see, but also from what happens after their action.

Experiment

An operant conditioning experiment demonstrates how voluntary behavior can be strengthened or weakened through its consequence. The classical laboratory example is BF Skinner’s operatant condition experiment demonstrated by using a rat in a skinner box. A hungry rat was placed inside a chamber known as a skinner box. Inside a chamber there is a mechanism, there is a lever, pressing the lever will provide the food in the food palette.

A hungry rat was placed inside the skinner box, initially the rat explored the chamber, when the rat accidentally pressed the lever food pellet released food, the rat consumed it and continued to explore. Each time the rat presses the lever, food is provided. After repeated trials the rat begins pressing the lever more frequently. the increase in lever pressing demonstrate that the behaviour has been reinforced by food.

There are mainly four quadrants concepts of operant conditioning which are explained below:

Positive and Negative Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is that type of strategies where positive pleasant stimuli are added so that likelyhood of positive behaviour is likley to happen in future.For example, when students get good marks parents give them gifts or employees perform very well if the office manager gives them a bonus.This means positive consequences result in positive behavior. 

Negative reinforcement is that type of reward mechanism where unpleasant stimuli are removed. It does not mean punishment, here unpleasant stimuli are removed for showing the positive behaviour or resulting in the positive behaviour. For example: When students finish your assignment and score good marks, the teacher stops giving them an additional assignment. Similarly when employees submit their work on time, their manager stops giving them later hour work. In this example, unpleasant stimuli are removed for showing a positive outcome. 

Positive and Negative Punishment

Positive Punishment is that type of strategies where unpleasant stimuli are added to reduce the negative behavior. For example, an employee repeatedly comes late and the manager gives them a warning letter or adds additional hour work after regular working hours. When a student breaks a school rule he or she receives extra work. Traffic police give a fine when driving the vehicle too fast.

Negative Punishment is that type of mechanism where unpleasant stimuli are added. It means taking away something pleasant to reduce that behavior to reoccur. For example: Students break rules and parents take away their phones. When children misbehave their gaming time is removed. Employees violate a code of conduct in office and their certain privileges are taken away.

	Positive	Negative
Reinforcements	Pleasant Stimuls (Add)	Unpleasant Stimuls (Removed)
Punishments	Unpleasant Stimuls (Removed)	Pleasant Stimuls (Add)

Reinforcement can be provided according to different schedules, such as fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval.

Limitation

Although the theory is useful, it has some limitations:

• People are not always motivated by rewards.
• The same reward may not work for everyone.
• Too much dependence on rewards can reduce internal motivation.
• Human behavior is also influenced by emotions, personality and social factors.
• It may stop a behavior temporarily but may not teach the correct behavior.