The introduction reads as follows; Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which we associate our voluntary actions the consequences of those actions. For example, a pigeon naturally pecks things. But if every time the pigeon pecks a ball, he is given a reinforcer, the pigeon will soon learn to peck the ball more frequently. B. F. Skinner showed that operant conditioning could do more than elicit simple, isolated actions. He taught pigeons to bowl and play tennis with the help of shaping; that is, he observed their behaviors and provided reinforcers when they performed at a required level. Today, shaping is used routinely by parents, teachers, coaches, and employers to train all kinds of complex behaviors.
A series of four illustrations is labeled, Skinner’s Experiment; Train a pigeon to play tennis. In the upper illustration, labeled Pigeon is rewarded with seeds for pecking the ball, sketches of pigeons are shown in actions such as sitting on a branch, bending down to peck the ground, walking, and pecking a ball. An arrow labeled Reinforcement points to the bird pecking a ball, with a callout labeled reinforcement with seeds.
The second illustration is labeled Ball-pecking behavior increases and shows the bird pecking a ball in three out of four images. An arrow labeled Reinforcement points to each time the bird pecks the ball.
The third illustration is labeled Now only the next step toward tennis is rewarded and shows the bird pecking the ball in two illustrations, and pushing the ball in one illustration. The illustration showing the bird pushing the ball shows an arrow labeled Reinforcement with a callout labeled reinforcement with seeds.
The fourth illustration is labeled Ball-pushing behavior increases and shows the bird pushing the ball in three illustrations, with an arrow labeled Reinforcement pointing to each instance of the illustration.
At the bottom is a photo of two pigeons standing at either side of a table with a ball in motion between the birds. The caption reads, after behavior has been shaped through reinforcement, the pigeon has learned to play tennis.
A series of illustrations at the right is titled, Have you been trained? The introduction reads as follows; Not every child is born loving the healthy foods his parent offers. But shaping can help a child learn to eat his vegetables. Over a period of time, reinforcement is given for behaviors that are closer and closer to this goal. Can you think of anything that would be a reward for eating vegetables? Praise or the excitement of a contest may work in this way. The top illustration shows a young child looking down at a plate of vegetables. The caption reads, 1. Child refuses to eat vegetables. The second illustration shows a child holding a fork with a plate of vegetables in front of him. A text bubble reads Yes! The caption reads, 2. Reinforced for touching fork. The third illustration shows a child digging into a plate of vegetables with a fork. A text bubble reads Good Job! The caption reads, 3. Now, reinforced for touching vegetables. The fourth illustration shows a child eating vegetables. The caption reads, 4. After behavior has been shaped through reinforcement, the child has learned to eat his vegetables.