Origins of the Approach
When discussing theory, it is important to understand what a theory is. According to Webster Dictionary, “Theory is defined as an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances.” (Webster) Theory can also be an idea intended to explain something. Behavior according to Webster is defined as “anything that an organism does involve action and response to stimulation.” (Webster) There are several types of Behavioral Theories and theorists such as Skinner’s Operant Conditioning and Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning just to name a few. In order to understand theories, one must be able to understand the theorist. B. F. Skinner and Pavlov are known to be a major theorist of behavioral theories. Psychologist Burrhus …show more content…
B.F. Skinner’ Operant Conditioning is defined as a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through Operant Conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior. Skinner theory focused on Positive Reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, and punishment. The major concepts of Skinner’s operant Conditioning including certain things to ensure his theory were accurate. Skinner used a hungry rat, A lever that dispenses food when it was tampered with, an electric current, and a light. Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by providing a consequence individual finds rewarding. During Positive Reinforcement Skinner discovered that placing a hungry rat inside of a box would repeat hitting a lever to retrieve food once it was learned that food would be dispense after hitting it. The food was Positive reinforcement and increased the behavior of the rat hitting it. Negative reinforcement is defined as a reinforcement that can remove an unpleasing reinforcer. Skinner demonstrated negative reinforcement by placing a rat inside the Skinner Box and applying an electric current if the rat did not follow the rule of waiting on the light before hitting the lever. The electric current was a negative reinforcement and allowed the rats to not continue the unpleasant behavior. Last but not least is Punishment that revolve around weaken or eliminate a behavior. …show more content…
Being a social worker and applying Operant Conditioning and Classical Conditioning can become beneficial to when assisting a client. Operant conditioning nor Classical conditioning does not exclude any group based on age, sex, race, social status, class status, and more. Behaviors are learned every day based on communities, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment. Both Classical and Operant conditioning continues to be important to the broader society. With these theories put into place, it would allow a social worker to be able to help encourage or eliminate certain behaviors that their clients partaking in and empower them with better
When discussing theory, it is important to understand what a theory is. According to Webster Dictionary, “Theory is defined as an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances.” (Webster) Theory can also be an idea intended to explain something. Behavior according to Webster is defined as “anything that an organism does involve action and response to stimulation.” (Webster) There are several types of Behavioral Theories and theorists such as Skinner’s Operant Conditioning and Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning just to name a few. In order to understand theories, one must be able to understand the theorist. B. F. Skinner and Pavlov are known to be a major theorist of behavioral theories. Psychologist Burrhus …show more content…
B.F. Skinner’ Operant Conditioning is defined as a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through Operant Conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior. Skinner theory focused on Positive Reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, and punishment. The major concepts of Skinner’s operant Conditioning including certain things to ensure his theory were accurate. Skinner used a hungry rat, A lever that dispenses food when it was tampered with, an electric current, and a light. Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by providing a consequence individual finds rewarding. During Positive Reinforcement Skinner discovered that placing a hungry rat inside of a box would repeat hitting a lever to retrieve food once it was learned that food would be dispense after hitting it. The food was Positive reinforcement and increased the behavior of the rat hitting it. Negative reinforcement is defined as a reinforcement that can remove an unpleasing reinforcer. Skinner demonstrated negative reinforcement by placing a rat inside the Skinner Box and applying an electric current if the rat did not follow the rule of waiting on the light before hitting the lever. The electric current was a negative reinforcement and allowed the rats to not continue the unpleasant behavior. Last but not least is Punishment that revolve around weaken or eliminate a behavior. …show more content…
Being a social worker and applying Operant Conditioning and Classical Conditioning can become beneficial to when assisting a client. Operant conditioning nor Classical conditioning does not exclude any group based on age, sex, race, social status, class status, and more. Behaviors are learned every day based on communities, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment. Both Classical and Operant conditioning continues to be important to the broader society. With these theories put into place, it would allow a social worker to be able to help encourage or eliminate certain behaviors that their clients partaking in and empower them with better