What is operant or instrumental conditioning?

Operant conditioning is a theory that has endured throughout the decades in the field of psychology. It stands as a fundamental pillar in understanding how we learn and adapt our behavior depending on the environment..

Conceived by the influential behavioral psychologist Burrhus Frederick Skinner, it allows us to explore the interaction between the individual and their context, highlighting how the consequences of our actions can influence the likelihood that we repeat or modify certain behaviors.

In this article, the key concepts of this theory are developed, exploring its foundations and its application in everyday life.

What is instrumental conditioning?

Operant conditioning, also known as instrumental conditioning, refers to a learning method that involves the association of reinforcements (rewards) or punishments with specific behaviors or patterns of behavior.

Skinner developed this theory in response to the limitation of classical conditioning, also called Pavlovian conditioning, to fully explain our learning process.

The concept of operant conditioning is based on Edward Thorndike’s Law of Effect, which posits that actions followed by desirable outcomes have a greater probability of being repeated, while those followed by undesirable outcomes tend to decrease in frequency.

In essence, This method holds that actions followed by rewards will become stronger, while those that entail punishments or unwanted consequences will weaken and will be less likely to be repeated in the future. For example, when a laboratory rat presses a blue button, it receives a small portion of food as a reward, but if it presses the red button it experiences a mild electric shock. As a result, the rodent learns to prefer the blue button and avoids the red button.

Through operant conditioning, we can understand how the relationship is established between a behavior and its consequences. This learning process is essential in understanding how behaviors are modified and shaped based on their consequences.

Key concepts of operant conditioning

While these terms are common in behavioral perspectives in general, they may have particular meanings within the operant approach. Therefore, the fundamental concepts of this method are defined for a deeper understanding.

Types of behavior

Skinner distinguished between two different types of behaviors: instinctive responses and operant behaviors.

The term “operant” refers to deliberate actions that interact with the environment and generate consequences. These behaviors are under our conscious control, and can occur both spontaneously and intentionally. However, it is the consequences of these acts that influence their repetition or avoidance in the future.

On the other hand, Instinctive behaviors occur automatically and reflexively, like removing your hand from a hot stove or the knee reflex when touched by a doctor. They do not require learning and occur automatically and involuntarily.

Our actions on the environment and the consequences of those actions are an important part of the learning process.

Reinforcement and punishment

In this context, Skinner highlighted two fundamental elements of the operant conditioning process: reinforcement and punishment. Reinforcement has the purpose of increasing an action. The simple existence of the possibility of a reward increases the probability that we will repeat a behavior that previously led us to obtain it.

However, Operant conditioning can also be used to reduce an action. The elimination of a desired outcome or the application of a negative consequence is used to decrease or prevent unwanted behaviors. This is known as punishment.

From this approach, it was identified two different types of reinforcement and two different types of punishment:

Positive reinforcement: Involves the presentation of a pleasant stimulus or reward after a behavior, increasing the likelihood that that behavior will be repeatedNegative reinforcement: It involves the elimination of an unpleasant or aversive stimulus as a consequence of an action, also increasing the probability of repetition of the behavior.Positive punishment: It consists of applying an unpleasant stimulus after an unwanted behavior, with the intention of reducing the probability of its repetition.Negative punishment: It involves the removal of a pleasant stimulus as a result of an unwanted behavior, also intended to decrease the probability of repetition of that behavior.

These concepts are fundamental to understanding how operant conditioning influences our behavior and how they can be used in different learning and behavior modification situations.

Operant techniques to modify behavior

Operant techniques stand out as powerful tools of change and its application encompasses a variety of approaches. These strategies, based on the sound principles described above, allow us to shape and direct behavior effectively. Below, we detail the keys to positively influence behavior or eliminate a behavior.

Operant techniques to develop behaviors

These techniques are essential tools that allow us to shape, modify and promote specific behaviors in individuals. Now, let’s explore four of the most influential techniques:

Instigation techniques: are those that depend on the manipulation of discriminative stimuli to increase the probability that a behavior will occur.Molding: It consists of gradually bringing a certain behavior closer to a desired one, starting with a relatively similar response that the subject can perform and modifying it little by little. It is carried out in steps (successive approximations) to which reinforcement is applied.Fading: refers to the gradual withdrawal of aids that had been used to reinforce a target behavior. The aim is for the subject to consolidate a response and subsequently be able to carry it out without the need for external help.Chaining: It is a behavior composed of several simple behaviors, which are separated into different steps (links). Then, the subject must learn to execute the links one by one until the complete chain is completed.

Operant techniques to eliminate behaviors

These techniques provide effective approaches to address and reduce unwanted behaviors in different situations and contexts. Below is a list of them:

Extinction: a behavior that had been previously reinforced is no longer rewarded. This decreases the probability that the response will occur again.Skip training: The subject’s behavior is followed by the absence of the reward; That is, if the response is given, the reinforcer will not be obtained. An example of omission training could be parents preventing their child from playing video games for not doing their schoolwork.Response cost: It is a variant of negative punishment in which the execution of the problem behavior causes the loss of a reinforcer.Time out: It consists of isolating the subject in a non-stimulating environment in case the problematic behavior occurs.Satiation: The reinforcement obtained by carrying out the behavior is so intense or large that it loses the value it had for a subject. Overcorrection: It consists of applying positive punishment related to the problem behavior.

Applications of operant conditioning

Today, operant conditioning continues to be a highly relevant tool, whose principles are applied versatilely in various areas of study and practice.

In the educational field, The principles of operant conditioning are used as reinforcements in the classroom, with the purpose of motivating students and shaping desirable behaviors.. In addition, they are integrated into different learning methodologies, as well as educational games and applications designed to enhance the teaching and learning process.

In the field of physical rehabilitation, operant conditioning plays a fundamental role in the recovery process after injuries. This involves encouraging the performance of therapeutic exercises and adherence to an appropriate diet. In addition, It is applied to modify health-related habitspromoting the importance of regular exercise and a balanced diet.

In therapeutic contexts, such as ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, the principles of operant conditioning are used in the treatment of people with autism and other developmental disorders. This aims to promote adaptive behaviors and facilitate the acquisition of new skills.

In addition, Operant conditioning has proven to be a valuable tool in the field of treating addictive behaviors., including drug addiction. In this context, it focuses on the fundamental principle of reinforcement, which seeks to modify behaviors related to the consumption of addictive substances.

Also, in veterinary medicine, they are applied to understand and improve the behavior of animals, contributing to their well-being and care. Operant conditioning also finds its application in animal training, whether with dogs, dolphins, or other species, to teach tricks, develop specific skills, and encourage a desired behavior.

In the business field and marketing, Operant conditioning principles are used to cultivate customer loyalty and design effective advertising strategies.. Furthermore, in personnel management, these principles are used in order to motivate employees and improve their job performance.

The transformative power of operant conditioning

In a world that is constantly evolving, Operant conditioning emerges as a versatile and powerful tool to shape behavior, from the classroom to the workplace and beyond. Through understanding its principles, we can influence our actions and those of others in surprising ways.

Operant conditioning shows us that change is possible and that, with the right approach, we can achieve positive and lasting results in behavior modification. Therefore, under these premises, focusing on behavior generates a series of modifications in the individual’s behavior that, after their generalization, are powerful generators of holistic change.

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