IndexIntroductionPunishmentPositive reinforcementExtinctionConclusionReferencesIntroductionB.F. Skinner (1904-1990) is well known for his development in modeling and understanding behavior through operant conditioning (OC), where the use of reinforcement or punishment determines the probability that an action will be repeated. Skinner's theory evolved from the work of Edward Thorndike, who developed the law of effect theory, which implies that reinforced actions will be repeated. The first attempts to establish the principles of operant learning in infants occurred primarily in the 1950s and 1960s, but since then further research and experiments have focused on the effectiveness of operant conditioning (OC) in shaping children's behavior. The intent of this report is to examine how operant conditioning principles used as techniques altered the behavior of three children. The results are based on observations obtained from three videos. In each section a description of the environment and characters shown in each video will be provided as well as a definition of the principle exposed and its effectiveness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Punishment The first principle of operant conditioning discussed is punishment, which involves imparting an unpleasant stimulus to a child in order to decrease the likelihood of the unwanted behavior repeating. The video shows a single mother, Hayley Whisonant, and her four children going out to eat at a Mexican restaurant. There are 2 or 3 other tables occupied by customers and no play area on site. One of the boys, two-year-old Gabe, has a pacifier in his mouth that his mother wants to remove so he can eat, but once it is removed Gabe begins to throw a tantrum in the restaurant. Hayley repeats several times that she won't get a pacifier because she has to sit and eat. However, Gabe continues to scream and cry, to the point that his mother tells him that if he doesn't stop his pacifier will be thrown away. Gabe doesn't calm down and his pacifier is thrown in the garbage, where he later begins to cry in the hope that his mother will return it to him. After more forceful talk that his behavior is unacceptable, Gabe begins to calm down. In this situation the form of punishment shown was negative punishment, which involves removing something pleasant from the child to reduce the chance that the action will be repeated. Positive Reinforcement The next OC principle under discussion is positive reinforcement which occurs when something pleasant is given to the child as a form of reward once the desired behavior has been completed. In the video observed, the husband and wife have three children and their own catering business. Ryan, the oldest (9 years old), has difficulty concentrating and listening to his parents, as well as running around the restaurant with his siblings. His mother tries to fix him to complete his homework, once in a calm environment and with his mother's help and praise, he continues to complete his homework without any difficulty. The positive reinforcement used in this video was in the form of praise from his mother once he completed the calculations. Extinction The final principle to discuss is extinction, which is when caregivers stop providing reinforcement in the hope that the frequency of that process will decrease. unwanted behavior. In the video, a family is having dinner at home, when the mother tells her children that once they have finished all the vegetables, they can leave the table to go and play. Daughter Eden and son Jonathon (3/4 years old) start crying and throwing tantrums because they don't.