PSYCHOLOGY

To prepare for this discussion, please read Chapter 5 of your textbook. In addition, watch Classical and Operant Conditioning. Finally, review Instructor Guidance and Announcements.  In this discussion, you will consider learning from a psychological perspective by explaining operant conditioning and applying it to a real-life scenario.  Be sure to use your own academic voice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and apply in-text citations (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. appropriately throughout your post.

• Discuss learning.  In your discussion, include the following: 
  • Describe operant conditioning.
  • Select one of the following situations from everyday life in which learning (i.e. a relatively permanent change in behavior) is desirable.  
    • Margot wants her husband, Todd, to stop leaving his dirty laundry on the floor.
    • Coach K wants to increase his basketball players’ free throw percentages.
    • Mr. Moore wants his dog to stop jumping up on visitors.
    • Biggs Boss wants his employees to arrive on time.
    • Mrs. O’Neill wants her preschoolers to raise their hands before speaking.
    • Joe wants his son to earn good grades.
    • Jack wants his girlfriend, Jill, to show more affection.
    • Marty wants his friend, Dave, to stop smoking.
    • Insert your own situation:  ____________________________________
• Prepare a behavior modification plan in which you effectively utilize operant conditioning principles to change the behavior of the targeted individual(s).  
  • Clearly identify and describe suitable reinforcers or punishers to attain your desired outcome.   
  • Example:  If I want my son to eat his vegetables (i.e., increase a desired behavior), I could do several things.  
    • If he eats his vegetables, I could apply a positive reinforcer by adding something he does like, such as screen time; alternatively, I could apply a negative reinforcer by taking away something he does not like, such as one of his weekly chores. 
    • If he does not eat his vegetables, I could apply a positive punisher by adding something he does not like, such as a new weekly chore; alternatively, I could apply a negative punisher by taking away something he does like, such as screen time.
• Defend your use of reinforcement and/or punishment as applied to the scenario.  Why did you choose it?  Why do you expect it to work?
• Apply your knowledge of ethical considerations as relevant to operant conditioning.
• Remember to use your own academic voice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and apply in-text citations (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. appropriately throughout your post.

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