Operant Conditioning essay

Help! Pointers, tips. My mind has gone blank.

The essay question is; Briefly outline the principles of operant conditioning. Evaluate the claim that behaviour is shaped by its consequences. Support your answer with appropriate literature.

Sounds easy, but I can't find any materials that I can reference to. For example I know about operant conditioning etc, but I would have to reference to a book or journal once I state "operant conditioning is different to classical conditioning in the sense that the responses are voluntary" (Skinner bla bla). But the fact is, it's not really stated by anyone, it's kind of summarised in textbooks, lectures and just my own understanding of it.

I'm finding it hard :frown:

Why am I finding such an easy essay question so hard :frown:

(edited 12 years ago)

Bump?

When behaviourists were around (skinner/pavlov) I don't think there were many psychology journals around, but surely you can quote a textbook (if its not an A Level one?)

Otherwise it will definately be quoted in one of his books:

The Behavior of Organisms: An Experimental Analysis, 1938. ISBN 1-58390-007-1, ISBN 0-87411-487-X.
Walden Two, 1948. ISBN 0-87220-779-X (revised 1976 edition).
Science and Human Behavior, 1953. ISBN 0-02-929040-6. A free copy of this book (in a 1.6 MB .pdf file) may be downloaded at the B. F. Skinner Foundation BFSkinner.org.
Schedules of Reinforcement, with C. B. Ferster, 1957. ISBN 0-13-792309-0.
Verbal Behavior, 1957. ISBN 1-58390-021-7.
The Analysis of Behavior: A Program for Self Instruction, with James G. Holland, 1961. This self-instruction book is no longer in print, but the B. F. Skinner Foundation web site has an interactive version. ISBN 0-07-029565-4.
The Technology of Teaching, 1968. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts Library of Congress Card Number 68-12340 E 81290
Contingencies of Reinforcement: A Theoretical Analysis, 1969. ISBN 0-390-81280-3.
Beyond Freedom and Dignity, 1971. ISBN 0-394-42555-3.
About Behaviorism, 1974. ISBN 0-394-49201-3, ISBN 0-394-71618-3.
Particulars of My Life: Part One of an Autobiography, 1976. ISBN 0-394-40071-2.
Reflections on Behaviorism and Society, 1978. ISBN 0-13-770057-1.
The Shaping of a Behaviorist: Part Two of an Autobiography, 1979. ISBN 0-394-50581-6.
Notebooks, edited by Robert Epstein, 1980. ISBN 0-13-624106-9.
Skinner for the Classroom, edited by R. Epstein, 1982. ISBN 0-87822-261-8.
Enjoy Old Age: A Program of Self-Management, with M. E. Vaughan, 1983.
A Matter of Consequences: Part Three of an Autobiography, 1983. ISBN 0-394-53226-0, ISBN 0-8147-7845-3.
Upon Further Reflection, 1987. ISBN 0-13-938986-5.
Recent Issues in the Analysis of Behavior, 1989. ISBN 0-675-20674-X.
Cumulative Record: A Selection of Papers, 1959, 1961, 1972 and 1999 as Cumulative Record: Definitive Edition. This book includes a reprint of Skinner's October 1945 Ladies' Home Journal article, "Baby in a Box," Skinner's original, personal account of the much-misrepresented "Baby in a box" device. ISBN 0-87411-969-3 (paperback)
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Operant Conditioning essay

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