IGNOU : M.COM : MCO 1 : UNIT 5 : Q - 4. Discuss the operant conditioning theory of learning. How does it differ with the classical conditioning theory of learning?

Ans. Operant Conditioning Skinner gave the theory of operant conditioning. This theory advocates that a learner’s response is instrumental in producing a reinforcing stimulus. This means that the response which produces the reinforcement becomes stronger and the response which does not produce reinforcement becomes weaker.

Skinner box was used for demonstrating the operant learning. It is a simple box having a liver fitted at the end of the box. The liver is a switch which operates as a food-delivery mechanism. A hungry rat is placed inside the box. Initially the rat sits idle in the box, gradually it starts exploring inside the box to search for food. While exploring inside the box all on a sudden it presses the liver. As the liver is pressed it releases a piece of food. After pressing the liver a number of times, the rat realises that it releases the pieces of food and the rat starts eating them. Now the rat presses the liver and eats the food. The delivery of food constitutes the reinforcement and reinforcement is contingent upon the operation of the lever.

The box can be arranged in such a way that every response i.e., pressing of liver may not release the food. Some response may release the food and some may not release. This is termed as partial reinforcement. It may also be arranged in such a way that pressing of lever may result in a shock to the rat. This is termed as negative reinforcement. Thus the response which fulfils the desired need of the rat is known as positive reinforcement. At the same time, the response may also lead to escape from the painful situation which is known as negative reinforcement. The focus of this theory is the reinforcement follows a response. So the response becomes instrumental in achieving the appropriate goal. The manipulation of response and reinforcement may increase, reduce or lead to the extinction of the behaviour.

You must be aware of Thorndike’s law of effect which states that the responses which are accompanied or closely followed by reinforcement will be more likely to occur. At the same time, the responses which are accompanied or closely followed by discomfort will be less likely to occur. This means that the behaviour which leads to positive outcome will be likely to be repeated whereas behaviour which leads to negative outcome will be avoided.

Hull proposed three components of learning theory i.e. drive, habit and reinforcement. A drive refers to the internal state of disequlibrium which becomes a motive for learning. A drive stimulates the person to perform the desired act. Habit refers to the association between stimulus and the response. The appropriate link is formed between environmental stimulus and behaviour of a person. The formation of this connection play very important role in learning. Reinforcement refers to the feedback received by the person as a result of his behaviour.

Thus appropriate understanding of connection between behaviour and consequences by the person makes him to learn about the situation. The focus of the operant theory is to make the learner to operate in the environment to acquire reinforcement. This means that the behaviour may be directed by appropriate reinforcement. For example when ever you perform well in the office, your boss appreciates you. This appreciation helps you in strengthening the behaviour of performing well in the office.