2.2 Skinner box (1948)

aim

to demonstrate that reinforcers increase frequency of behaviours

method

pigeons (n=8) were starved to 75% of their weight. pigeons were placed into the skinner box for a few minutes each day. food was presented at regular intervals (every 15s) regardless of the birds behaviour.

key findings

as food was about to appear, 6/8 of the birds began showing unusual behaviours (that they had been demonstrating in the moments before food was initially presented) such as turning anti-clockwise 2-3 times, swaying, or tossing its head. in the other 2 cases, no conditioning response was observed. when intervals were stretched to 1 minute, pigeons would only begin demonstrating conditioned responses closer to the anticipation of the food (after 20-30 seconds)

contribution to psych

the rate of behaviour change depends on the interval, the rate of extinction and intensity of the drive/motivation of the reward. Skinner's work led to the development of reinforcement schedules. Skinner went on demonstrate that precise, complex, behaviours could be "shaped" in organisms. (e.g. dog training_

criticisms and limitations

- operant conditioning is very useful in its application to the treatment of phobias and behaviour management in schools
- anthromorphized the pigeon behaviour by drawing parallels between it and human superstitions


- ethical concerns about the use of animals in research (3 R'S principal). there are evolutionary and biological limits to what an organism can be conditioned to do (e.g. a rat cannot be conditioned to fly)
- skinner insisted that behaviour was shaped purely in response to external stimuli rather than internal thoughts and feelings
- while operant conditioning is widespread in schools, businesses and by parents, skinner was criticized for dehumanizing the learning process.
- theories like bandura's social learning clearly suggest that there is a strong and cognitive component to learning.