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What is operant conditioning? How do reinforcement, punishment, and extinction apply to operant conditioning? How do the concepts of reward versus punishment apply to society? Explain your answer and use examples from your own life experience.

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This article is focused on Operant conditioning proposed by B.F. Skinner (1938, 1953) as a form of learning based on the belief that an organism operated on the environment instead of just reacting to stimuli.

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What is operant conditioning?

Operant conditioning was proposed by B. F. Skinner (1938, 1953) based on his belief that an organism operated on the environment instead of just reacting to stimuli. Thus, operant conditioning is a form of learning which responses to stimuli (e.g. sight, sound, etc.) are influenced by consequences. Operant conditioning may take place through the process of molding (shaping) behavior such as the training of animals. Operant condition is being used successfully in clinical studies treating disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (Buccafusco, Terry, Webster, Martin, Hohnadol, Bouchard & Warner, 2008).

*Reinforcement involves eliciting a response through closer approximations. Reinforcement strengthens the tendency to make a certain response. In other words, reinforcement ...

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