Question:

OPTION B: OPERANT CONDITIONING

Using the concepts of operant conditioning discussed in the text and in class, change the
behavior of someone or something. In your report, identify the target (desired) behavior and the
responses that you reinforced (or punished) in order to direct your subjects behavior. Describe
your subject and the specific steps you took to change the behavior. Describe the results. (Note:
If you are really good, this will even work on stubborn husbands.)
Answer:
According to the text, Invitation to the Life Span by Kathleen Stassen, operant conditioning is
described where certain behaviors are either rewarded or punished depending on the sought after
behavior.
Operant conditioning is something that is very familiar to my personal experiences. Working in a
youth service setting, operant conditioning is a very common practice that is used daily. My plan
will be focusing on getting a child to participate in their group activity or game. I will be
breaking my operant conditioning plan down into six-steps, which have led me to success with
youth:
1. Establish expectations making it very clear what the individual is expected to do and why
it needs to be done.
2. Explain and have the individual participate in providing goals of desired change, if your
targeted individual sets the goals that makes them take more ownership a upon getting to
the goal. It is also important to establish short term goals and long term goals, each
having their own reward or consequence.
Clearly explain the result desired, allowing the individual to be part of the plan. The target goals
are set with specific rewards and consequences.
3. Allow individual opportunity to make the correct choice in behavior, when individual
does what is asked they need to be rewarded. When they have the incorrect behavior they
need to be reminded of expectations and goals, if continual incorrect behavior continues,
consequences are needed.
Follow through with rewards and consequences being very precise on what behaviors are
rewarded or punished.
4. As the individual progresses towards the goal that is desired. Rewards become less
frequent, yet still reinforcing behaviors with positivity and recognition.
As the desired behavior is achieved the rewards become more intrinsic, reinforcing their
accomplishment and using their behavior as a model.
My subject is a young 2nd grade boy named Parker, Parker has flashes of rebellion and
refusal to cooperate with any adult or teacher that asks him to abide by class rules. There
have been countless hours spent trying to persuade Parker to get off a bookcase, stop jumping
from desk to desk, or even to stop running outside of the building into dangerous situations. I
had been given the task of working one-on-one with Parker, in hopes to have a desired
change in behavior and being able to provide the student with an optimal experience in which
he can be successful.