Psyc 110 3 Week Assignment

Christy Almon PSYC 110

•Distinguish between operant conditioning, observational learning, and classical conditioning. How are these different kinds of learning utilized in the work place? Give specific examples for each one.

Operant Conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. It was invented by a behaviorist name B.F Skinner, which is why this method is also known as the Skinnerian Conditioning. He explains that taking away a desired outcome or a negative outcome can be used to prevent bad actions. The absence of a desired outcome can be used to decrease an undesired behavior. There are some important concepts in operant conditioning. One of these is reinforcement which is a process to encourage a pattern of behavior. There is positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement would be earning a reward or praise for the behavior. Negative reinforcement would be removing something to prevent a negative outcome. In both of the cases behavior has increased. Second, there is positive and negative punishment. Positive punishment is stopping the behavior or you know there will be consequences for your actions. Negative punishment is when something positive is removed after bad behavior. One way that operant conditioning is used in the work place is to increase sales. Let’s say you have a sales team that needs to meet a quota buy the end of the day. One way you can get them fired up to motivate them is to add some sort of incentive such as a bonus. By giving them a reward you are giving them positive reinforcement to complete the quota by the end of the day.

Classical conditioning is a type of learning it happens when conditioned and unconditioned stimulus come together. Ivan Pavlo conducted a study on classical conditioning. He developed a procedure that helped him learn more about the digestive system of a dog. At the first of the experiment he noticed that the dog began to salivate when...