What is Operant Conditioning (Psychology)

"Operant conditioning was pioneered by Skinner. Learning is the result of an association being formed between behaviour and its consequences; the Law of Effect states that behaviour which has a positive consequence will be learned. For example, if lever pressing delivers food to a hungry rat, food is positive reinforcement and lever pressing is likely to be repeated. Behaviour that results in the removal of something aversive, e.g. pressing a lever stops an electrical shock, is negatively reinforced, and so is also likely to be repeated. Behaviour leading to aversive outcome, or the removal of something pleasant, is punishment. Skinner believed punishment to be an unethical and ineffective way of changing behaviour. Behaviour can be shaped, i.e. moved towards the desired outcome, by reinforcing successive approximations of what is required. Skinner sees learning as following processes similar to those in evolution, but over the individual's lifetime, in that learning produces an organism better adapted to the environment.

Studies using a Skinner box have established these principles in animals. They apply equally to humans, and have been used successfully in behaviour modification programmes, e.g. reducing disruptive classroom behaviour, using reinforcers such as praise and plastic tokens, later exchanged for what the individual finds reinforcing.

While effective in changing behaviour, this approach has been criticised for ignoring the role of internal cognitive processes in behaviour change, and for its use of experiments divorced from the natural environment.

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