The Application of Operant Conditioning Theory in Educational Settings

This assignment delves into operant conditioning theory, a significant learning theory that explores how behaviors are shaped through reinforcement and punishment. The assignment highlights the theory's applications, particularly in educational settings, where it can be used to teach students appropriate behaviors and manage classroom discipline. It emphasizes the effectiveness of operant conditioning in promoting behavior modification, especially in the primary years. The assignment also critically examines the limitations of operant conditioning, such as its inability to address complex learning, its focus on observable behaviors, and its lack of group learning components. It further includes references to relevant research and studies that support and critique the theory, offering a comprehensive understanding of operant conditioning's scope and limitations in various contexts.

OPERANT CONDITIONING
THEORY

INTRODUCTION
• THE VARIOUS LEARNING THEORIES HELP TO CREATE FRAMEWORKS FOR
EFFECTIVE LEARNING
• THE OPERANT CONDITIONING THEORY IS A SIGNIFICANT LEARNING THEORY
THAT HAS BEEN USED PRESENTLY
• THE VARIOUS APPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE THEORY ARE PROVIDED

CRITICAL REVIEW OF LIMITATIONS
• THE THEORY CANNOT BE USED IN CASES OF IN-DEPTH LEARNING ASPECTS
• COMPLEX CONCEPTS CANNOT BE EFFECTIVELY TAUGHT THROUGH OPERANT CONDITIONING
• THE ABILITY OF THE LEARNER IS LIMITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF A SPECIFIC STIMULUS TO
A SPECIFIC RESPONSE AND CAN ONLY BE UTILIZED IN PRESENCE OF THE RESPONSE
(AVARGUÈS-WEBER AND MOTA 2016)

• THE BEHAVIORS OF THE LEARNERS ARE CONSIDERED ONLY TO BE GOOD OR
BAD, THERE IS NO SCOPE FOR ANY OTHER TYPE NURTURING OF BEHAVIORS
• THERE IS NO SCOPE FOR GROUP LEARNING

CONTRIBUTION OF THE THEORY
• THE THEORY HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN
PROMOTING TRAINING OF ANIMALS
• THE THEORY HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE
EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
BEHAVIORAL INSTINCTS
• OPERANT CONDITIONING HELPS TO
BOOST THE EFFICIENCY OF PARTICIPANTS
• THE THEORY PROVIDED ESSENTIAL
SCOPE FOR UNDERSTANDING BEHAVIOR
ORIENTED LEARNINGS

APPLICATION IN THE CLASSROOM
• THE STUDENTS CAN BE TAUGHT ABOUT RIGHT BEHAVIORS AND WRONG
BEHAVIORS
• VERY EFFECTIVE TEACHING TOOL FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE IN THE PRIMARY
YEARS
• OPERANT CONDITIONING CAN BE USED TO TEACH DISCIPLINE TO STUDENTS
(LOVAAS AND BUCHER 2017)
• IN THE CLASSROOM OPERANT CONDITIONING CAN BE USED TO KEEP
STUDENTS FROM ENGAGING IN UNETHICAL BEHAVIORS

REFERENCES
• MCLEOD, S., 2015. SKINNER-OPERANT CONDITIONING. RETRIEVED FROM.
• AVARGUÈS-WEBER, A. AND MOTA, T., 2016. ADVANCES AND LIMITATIONS OF
VISUAL CONDITIONING PROTOCOLS IN HARNESSED BEES. JOURNAL OF
PHYSIOLOGY-PARIS, 110(3), PP.107-118.
• LOVAAS, O.I. AND BUCHER, B., 2017. OPERANT PROCEDURES IN BEHAVIOR
MODIFICATION WITH CHILDREN. IN FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIORAL
THERAPY (PP. 36-64). ROUTLEDGE

THANK YOU