The definition of learning is a change in a person's behavior due to observation or past .
In other words our behavior is altered by what we so others doing and we then .
change our behaviors to match theirs, in order to fit in with society. We also learn from past .
experiences, for example when we are young and touch a hot stove, we learn very quickly to be .
more cautious around stoves. Learning is an essential function we must do in order to adapt and .
survive in the world.
My research project for operant conditioning would involve small children as the test subjects and .
by using discipline, positive, negative and no reinforcement to convince them to do their .
homework. The discipline aspect would be tested with the operant being by spanking the child .
whenever they did not do their homework. The consequence would then of course be the .
spanking itself. I think that the outcome of this method could result in one of two ways; the child .
will either do all their work in fear of the spanking or lie about homework to avoid the .
punishment. Although in most cases this is an effective form of conditioning, it is also .
psychologically damaging and teaches kids violence. Another form of conditioning, which I .
believe is much more productive and effective, is positive reinforcement. I would use positive .
reinforcement and the operant would be that in the sense that if they do all of their homework .
they would get a treat or reward. The consequence of this type of reinforcement would be to then .
get the treat or reward, and so the effect on behavior is in turn the child would most likely do their .
homework in the future. Whereas with negative reinforcement, my operant would be more like if .
you don't do your home work, a privilege would be taken away. The consequence then of course .
would be the privilege being taken away and in turn the effect on behavior would be the child .
doing all of their homework in the future.
