Human Growth and Development

Applications:

●​ Classical conditioning works well for learning emotional responses and reflexive behaviors. ●​ However, it is less effective for teaching complex behaviors, which are better explained by operant conditioning.

Operant Conditioning

B. F. Skinner, a key behaviorist, developed operant conditioning, which focuses on how consequences shape behavior. Behaviors are strengthened by reinforcement and weakened by punishment. ●​ Reinforcement increases a behavior: ＞ ​ Positive reinforcement: Adding something pleasant to encourage behavior (e.g., offering a movie outing for cleaning a room). ＞ ​ Negative reinforcement: Removing something unpleasant to encourage behavior (e.g., reducing chores after the room is cleaned). ●​ Punishment decreases a behavior: ＞ ​ Positive punishment: Adding something unpleasant to reduce behavior (e.g., assigning extra chores for not cleaning the room). ＞ ​ Negative punishment: Taking away something enjoyable to reduce behavior (e.g., removing privileges for not cleaning). Example: To encourage a teenager to clean their room, positive or negative reinforcement works better than punishment for promoting consistent behavior. Punishment may stop undesired behavior temporarily but doesn’t effectively build positive habits.

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