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tickers for good behavior, loss of playtime through bad behavior, and providing positive
and negative grades on tests based on test results.
Behaviorist B.F. Skinner first identified and described operant conditioning. He believed
that to understand human behavior, we don’t have to analyze internal thoughts or
motivations. Human behavior can be explained by examining external causes that are
observable. Operant conditioning theory examples reveal that the premise operant
conditioning relies on is fairly simple—actions can be strengthened when followed up
with reinforcements, making them more likely to occur in the future.
Operant conditioning examples in everyday life show how we consciously control
operant behavior. Either we have experienced the consequences or are aware of the
outcome. We don’t put our hand in the fire or skip work for a week without notice just to
see what happens.
Examples of operant conditioning demonstrate that it’s a learning method that employs
punishments and rewards for influencing behavior. According to operant conditioning
theory examples, these consequences decide the probability of an action being
repeated. It works on the same fundamentals as the law of effect but with more
precision. Real-life examples of operant conditioning show that if people laugh at a
funny story, the storyteller will probably tell it again in the future. Reinforcement is
simply a desirable outcome that strengthens the preceding action.
Similarly, an undesirable outcome or punishment will weaken the actions and prevent
any recurrence.
To better understand the concept, we’ll look at all its components and some examples
of operant conditioning.
Real-Life Examples Of Operant Conditioning And Its Components
There are two main components in examples of operant conditioning—reinforcement
and punishment. Let’s look at them in detail.
1. Reinforcement
2. Punishment
Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement
Examples in animals include giving a dog a treat for sitting and giving animals a shock
of they run into a barbed wire fence, teaching them to leave it alone.
Punishment
Positive Punishment
Most Real-Life Examples Of Operant Conditioning Will Show That Punishment
By Application Is A Positive Response To Bad Behavior Or Actions.
1. Students Are Restricted From Using Phones In The Classroom As They’re A
Distraction. Confiscating The Phone If A Student Is Caught Using It Is Positive
Punishment. This Is A Classic Operant Conditioning Example In The Classroom.
2. Operant Conditioning Examples In The Classroom Also Include A Teacher
Scolding A Student Publicly For Repeating Mistakes. It’s A Positive Punishment For
Coming Late To Class Repeatedly Or Being Too Talkative.
Negative Punishment
Removing Something Pleasant As A Result Of An Unpleasant Behavior Is Natural
And Important, As We See In Operant Conditioning Examples In Everyday Life.
This Is Called Negative Punishment.
1. Seizure Of Property For Defaulting Payments Is One Of The Most Widely
Seen Examples Of Operant Conditioning. If EMIs Are Not Paid, Banks Seize
Property To Recover The Money They Lent.
2. We See Operant Conditioning Examples In Everyday Life With Kids. If A Child
Misbehaves, Lies Or Does Something Unacceptable, A Parent May Take Away Their
Video Games Or Toys.