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Chapter 1. Chapter

Infographic

Scientific American: Psychology

Infographic Activity 5.2: Learning Through Operant Conditioning

Learning Through Operant Conditioning

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Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which we associate our voluntary actions with 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. Through the process of shaping, in which reinforcers are used to change behaviors toward a more complex behavior, Skinner taught his pigeons to perform behaviors involving a series of actions, like bowling and tennis. Today, shaping is used routinely by parents, teachers, coaches, and employers to train all kinds of complex behaviors.

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1.1 Quiz

1. Which process did B.F. Skinner use to teach pigeons to engage in very human-like activities, such as playing tennis or bowling?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.

2. Husani wants to teach his son to dress himself for bed at night, so that his son will become more self-sufficient. Which of the following would be the first thing he should reinforce his son for doing if he is going to use B.F. Skinner’s procedure?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.

3. When Skinner was teaching a pigeon to play tennis, what was the first thing he reinforced the pigeon for doing?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.

4. Which of the following children’s games is most like the operant conditioning process of shaping?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.

5. If you were having a conversation with B.F. Skinner and described a problem where your child was refusing to take a bath on a nightly basis, what might Skinner recommend that you do?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct.
Incorrect.