Question

Que) define in detail and give an example of the 3 basic tools to control simple learning

1) Reinforcement strengthens responses

2) Nonreinforcement causes responses to extinguish

3) Punishment suppresses responses.

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for your question! :)

I have first explained the basic concepts in the theory and then answered your question. :)

Skinner's approach in psychology focused on outward behavioral aspects rather than covert, internal cognitions. His behavioral learning theory focuses on Operant Conditioning or Instrumental Conditioning that aims at strengthening or weakening behaviors through reinforcers or punishments. It focuses on understanding the consequences of behaviors

Reinforcers are anything that can strengthen or increases the likelihood of a behavior. There are 2 kinds of reinforcers that can be used

1)PRIMARY REINFORCERS

They are any stimuli that fulfill basic needs. Eg chocolate or food, sleep, etc

2) SECONDARY REINFORCERS

They are neutral stimuli but adopt a reinforcing quality because of its association with a primary reinforcer. For eg money can be used as a reinforcer because money can lead you to buy food. Other types of secondary reinforcers are praise, tokens, gold stars, etc

There are 2 types of reinforcement

1) POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

It is any pleasant stimulus that when added to the environment brings about an increase in the preceding response. Eg a child is given to watch TV (pleasant stimulus) after completing his homework.

2) NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

It is any stimulus that takes away anything that is uncomfortable or aversive to an individual, will have a higher likelihood to be used again. For eg when you have a headache (uncomfortable and painful condition)you take a tablet to get rid of it. If it works, you will use that tablet every time you have a headache

Punishments are also used to decrease the likelihood of certain undesirable behaviors

There are 2 types

1) POSITIVE PUNISHMENT

Which aims at weakening a response or undesirable behavior by adding an unpleasant stimulus after the behavior. Eg Spanking (unpleasant stimulus) a child every time he disobeys his parents (undesirable behavior)

2) NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT

This aims at weakening an undesirable behavior by removing something pleasant from the environment after the occurrence of the undesirable behavior. For eg Grounding the child by not letting them watch TV (pleasant stimulus) every time they don't do the dishes. (undesirable behavior)

Operant conditioning is a theory developed by Skinner which uses reinforcements and punishments to increase desirable behavior and decrease undesirable ones.

*****************EXPLANATION TO YOUR QUESTION****************************

Define in detail and give an example of the 3 basic tools to control simple learning

1) Reinforcement strengthens responses

(Refer above to the point of reinforcement for a definition)

Eg 1 - You want your child to do their homework every day, so you tell your child that every time he does his Homework you will give him a chocolate. Initially, he may do on some days and not do on some days but later on, he will understand that in order to get a piece of chocolate that he loves he has to do his homework. He will then begin to do his homework on a regular basis. So there is a change in behavior from not doing homework on a regular basis to doing it regularly.

Example 2 - you don't like studying maths but suddenly you get good marks in your test which makes you feel good, so you study again and gain get good marks. In other words, getting good marks has reinforced you to study maths. Initially, you did not like it, but after receiving the reinforcement you have changed your behaviors or thoughts about Maths. You are now working even harder to get those good marks again.

2) Nonreinforcement causes responses to extinguish

This phenomenon is known as extinction. Extiction is the process of bringing the behaviour to the same as it was before reinforcement by stopping the reinforcement. In other words the reinforcement is making the behaviour continue to exist but when it is removed the behavior will cease to exist.

For eg if you give your child a chocolate every time he does his homework, if you stop giving him the chocolate he will stop doing his homework. This is because there is no reward which is motivating him anymore. It is removed and therefore the behavior cannot continue.

Extinction can be used in a positive way especially to eliminate undesirable behavior. For eg if when your child throws a tantrum in the grocery store you would give him ice cream to shut him up. In a way, it would reinforce him to continue that behavior. Every time he would want an ice cream he would have to throw a tantrum. However the next time your child throws a tantrum you decide to let him go on and not give him an ice cream. Eventually, he will realize that he is not getting any reaction from his mother and will stop on his own. He may stop throwing tantrums or may try it for the last time. If you are consistent you will find that eventually, he will stop throwing tantrums in the grocery store. The tantrum behavior is therefore extinguished.

3) Punishment suppresses responses.

(Refer above to the explanation of punishments )

An example would be

Example 1 - You sneak out of your house without your parent's permission so they decide to ground you for a month. You will then realize that you have to take permission from your parents or suffer getting grounded which is not a good or fun experience.

Example 2 -  You break a signal and get fined which is alot as you are on a tight budget. You then will never break the red light again as you learned your lesson. In other words, in both examples, the behavior has been decreased.or eliminated because of something unpleasant (punishment)

You can add your own examples! :)

I hope this was informative and helpful! :) Do rate my answer or give me feedback! :)