Operant Theory And Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning developed by the behaviorist Skinner is the hallmark behavior learning approach in the 21st century. Unlike the classical conditioning developed by Pavlov, operant theory models behavioral learning through reward and punishment. Observable changes in behavior confirm the successful learning of the conduct.
b. Behaviorist learning approach utilizes the concept of altering behavior through either reinforcement or punishment. The desired behavior is encouraged through reinforcement whereas undesired behavior is discouraged through punishment. To change a particular behavior pattern rewarding the good behavior should commence immediately at the beginning of the conditioning process. Continuous rewarding of the desired behavior …show more content…
According to the cognitive learning approach, learning is an internal rather that an external process proposed by the behavioral approach. It describes learning as an internal process involving knowledge and skill integration and internalization into the learner’s intellectual paradigm.
b. The cognitive approach highlights that the learning process happens through internal informational processing and adoption. It emphasizes the importance of the initial presentation of the information or knowledge; the first impression or the internalization of the new information has the highest effect for the first time. Cognitive learning approach divides the learning process into three stages, that is, the first or the cognitive stage, the second or the fixation stage, and the third or the automatic phase. In the cognitive stage, the learner becomes familiar with the overall new behavior’s nature and the accompanying sequences. In the second stage, the student learns the skills of executing the task gaining and internalizing them in the process. In the automatic stage, the learner develops confidence in the execution of the newly learned skill. The third phase confirms that the learner has learned and mastered the new knowledge or …show more content…
Companies aim at employing people with particular personalities. They use assessment personality principles such as the measurement content to maximize their chances of getting the workers they desire. The company’s psychologist or a hired one determines the wanted personalities among the potential employees by comparing the data they gather from the interviewees to the list given by the firm. The process involves examining the employees’ past and present experiences through either interviewing them directly or contacting the employees’ previous employers. The employees fill in questionnaires with adjectives that describe certain personality traits. The assessors subject the potential employees to hypothetical situations and ask them what they would do. The psychologists compile the collected data about every employee and hand it to the management of the company. The corporation uses the compiled list to select its employees. The downside of personality assessments is that they have low reliability and validity. The potential employees can give biased information to increase their chances of getting the job. The assessors do not have a standard measure of the type of data and content that correctly determine the best personality; their conclusions are therefore based on probability and are subject to