In operant conditioning, Keller and Schoenfeld (1950) pointed out that behavior can either increase with reinforcement or sometimes decrease if satiation has occurred. There are two types of conditioning: Type S which is the Pavlovian conditioning and which is measured using latency and response magnitude and Type R which is operant conditioning associated closely with Skinner and is measured using frequency of occurrence. In the Type S conditioning, responses occur by the stimulus presented whereas in the Type R conditioning, responses occur independently. it is interesting to note that both types of conditioning can be present at the same time when a behavior is being studied. Just as Skinner used rats and pressing the bar in operant conditioning, the article by Colon, Ahearn, Clark, and Masalsky (2012) uses verbal operant training in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to decrease the amount of various forms of echolalia used among these children. Using frequency of occurrence, the researchers measured correct and incorrect vocalizations. Children were reinforced with edibles and social praise when they vocally responded appropriately. Just as Skinner used vertical pen marks to tally pellet eating by the rat, Colon et al. (2012) used momentary time-sampling to measure vocal stereotypy. The intervention (vocal operant training) did result in less occurrences of inappropriate vocalizations which in turn, will benefit students socially as they will not become so stigmatized and will be able to participate in conversations as they improve their functional language. Both readings allow the reader to understand the significance of operant conditioning and how it can improve daily living for people.

Question: Think about a time you used operant conditioning to reduce a target behavior. What did you do? What were the results?

Reference Colon, C. L., Ahearn, W. H., Clark, K. M., & Masalsky J. (2012). The effects of verbal operant training and response interruption and redirection on appropriate and inappropriate vocalizations. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 45, 107-120.