Operant Conditioning in the Criminal Ju Essay - 2660 Words

Operant Conditioning in the Criminal Justice System Z. M. Keys Psychology of Criminal Behavior CCJS 461 17 October 2014 The only way to tell whether a given event is reinforcing to a given organism under given conditions is to make a direct test. We observe the frequency of a selected response, then make an event contingent upon it and observe any change in frequency. If there is a change, we classify the event as reinforcing to the organism under the existing conditions. (Skinner, 1953) What does that even mean? Scientists use so many worlds to say the simplest things. Basically, behavioral psychology is known as behaviorism and based on a theory of learning that is significantly contingent on the premise†¦show more content†¦After associating the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus, the sound of the bell alone will start to evoke salivating as a response. The sound of the bell is now known as the conditioned stimulus and salivating in response to the bell is known as the conditioned response (Cherry, 2014) . The term operant conditioning, first came on the scene by Edward Tho rndike. Edward Thorndike is famous in psychology for his work on learning theory that lead to the development of operant conditioning within behaviorism. However, â€Å"B.F. Skinner is responsible for expanding the field of behaviorism after the early work of E.L. Thorndike, and his law of effect. Skinner divided behaviorism into respondent conditioning and operant conditioning, the latter of which he defined as explaining how the consequence of a behavior controlled the future occurrence of that same behavior. Skinner believed all behavior could be explained by an action performed and the valence of its consequence. Skinners most famous research studies were simple reinforcement experiments conducted on lab rats and domestic pigeons, which demonstrated the most basic principles of operant conditioning. His work remains extremely influential in the worlds of psychology, behaviorism, and education† (Boundless, 2014). The term operant conditioning, was latter coined by B.F. Ski nner. Skinner’s work with operant theory was built off of Edward Thorndike’s theory. (McLeod S. A., 2007). Operant conditioning, is alsoShow MoreRelatedStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesafter an off-duty police officer hired by Raybestos produced evidence that she was His SUV carefully obscured behind a row of trees, Rick Raymond, private investigator, was on another case. This case was not to catch the unfaithful spouse or petty criminal in action. Instead, Raymond was tracking an employee, at the request of an employer, to determine whether an Orlando repairman was sick as he claimed today and as he had claimed to be several times recently. As we have seen, absenteeism is a huge