Difference Between Operant Conditioning And Behavior Modification

The brain is constantly changing behavior or thought as a result of experience. This phenomenon is called learning. Learning occurs more than one may realize, for instance learning a new behavior. Learning a new behavior occurs through behavior modification, a technique used to increase or decrease a certain behavior, dependent on conditioning. Operant conditioning is a form of learning, managed by the consequences of the organism's behavior. Losing weight, sometimes an intimidating idea, can be achieved through operant conditioning, by setting up a weight loss program to follow a schedule of reinforcement. Using operant conditioning and behavior modification I will create a weight loss program that incorporates positive reinforcement under a fixed ratio schedule to attain my roommate's goal of making the football team.

Positive reinforcement is presenting an organism with a stimulus, increasing the probability of that behavior. For my roommate, I will give him an amount of money after a certain amount of times he works out. This should condition in him to workout more in order to receive money. For example, if he never works out then he will never receive any money, this will motivate him to workout to get the money.

The program will follow a strict fixed ratio schedule which will result

If, we followed the weight loss program correctly, then by the end of the program my roommate will be conditioned to work out, resulting in weight loss. The ability of our brains to learn and condition ourselves after a fixed schedule is crucial to understand in order to set up a successful weight loss program. Motivating someone to continue a behavior is a crucial way to condition. Without the use of reinforcements then an organism may not be inclined to follow the program because they won't be awarded anything for their