The reinforcement theory of B. F. Skinner

It seems obvious to think that, if after performing a certain behavior we receive a prize or reward, it is much more likely that we will repeat it again. Behind this principle, which may seem so obvious to us, there is a whole series of hypotheses and theories studied and debated throughout the history of psychology.

One of the main proponents of this approach was Burrhus Frederic Skinner, who through his Reinforcement Theory attempted to explain to the functioning of human behavior in response to certain stimuli.

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Who was b F. Skinner?

Psychologist, philosopher, inventor and author. These are just some of the occupations attributed to the well-known American psychologist, Burrhus Frederic Skinner. He is considered one of the leading authors and researchers within the behaviorist current of North America.

One of his main objects of study was human behavior. Specifically, he sought to explain how it worked in response to different stimuli that can influence it.

Through experimental manipulation and observation of animal behavior, Skinner outlined his first theories about the role that reinforcement has in behavior, creating from these the principles of the theory of operant conditioning.

For Skinner, the use of so-called positive and negative reinforcements it was vital to modifying both human and animal behavior; either to increase or enhance certain behaviors or to inhibit or eliminate them.

Likewise, Skinner was interested in the practical applications of his theories; creating "programmed education". In this type of educational process, students are explained a series of small nuclei of information that you must learn consecutively in order to move on to the next core of information.

Finally, Skinner also originated a series of essays surrounded by some controversy in which he proposed the use of psychological behavior modification techniques with the aim of increase the quality of society and thus enhance people's happiness, as a kind of social engineering for the happiness and well-being of men and women.

What is reinforcement theory?

Skinner's theory of reinforcement, also known as operant conditioning or conditioning. instrumental, attempts to explain human behavior in correspondence with the environment or the stimuli that surround.

Using the experimental method, Skinner concludes that the appearance of a stimulus triggers a response in the person. If this response is conditioned using positive or negative reinforcers, an influence can be exerted on said reaction or operant behavior, which can be enhanced or inhibited.

Skinner stated that behavior is maintained from one context or situation to another as long as the consequences, that is, the reinforcers do not change or do so following certain logics, "rules" that exist to discover. Due, both human and animal behavior can be conditioned or modified using a series of stimuli that the subject may or may not consider satisfactory.

Put more simply, Reinforcement Theory emphasizes that a person is more likely to repeat a behavior that is positively reinforced, as well as being more likely to repeat those that are associated with stimuli or reinforcement negatives.

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What types of reinforcement are there?

Conditional or reinforcing stimuli, both positive and negative, can be used in order to rectify or change the person's behavior. These They are very useful both in psychological therapy and in the school environment., family or even work.

Skinner differentiated between two types of reinforcers: positive reinforcers and negative reinforcers.

1. positive reinforcers

Positive reinforcers are all those consequences that appear after a behavior and that the person considers satisfactory or beneficial. Through these positive or satisfactory reinforcers, the aim is to increase a person's response rate, that is, to increase the probability of performing or repeating an action.

This means that acts that are positively reinforced will be more likely to be repeated since are followed by rewards, prizes or rewards perceived as positive by the person doing the action.

It is very important to note that for this association to be effective, it must be ensured that the person considers positive reinforcement as such. That is, it is really attractive.

What one person may consider a reward may not be for another. For example, a child who is hardly given candy may perceive it as a more important reward than another who is used to it. Therefore, it will be necessary to know the particularities and differences of the person in this way, to be able to specify what will be the ideal stimulus that serves as a positive reinforcer.

In turn, these positive reinforcers can be classified into the following categories:

• Primary or intrinsic reinforcers: are behaviors that by themselves generate satisfaction. For example eat if you are hungry.
• Secondary reinforcers: they occur through learning and are external to the person. They can be material, like money, or social, like recognition.

3. negative reinforcers

Contrary to popular belief, negative reinforcers do not consist of administering punishments or aversive stimuli to the person; If not the opposite. The use of negative reinforcers seeks to increase its response rate through the elimination of those consequences that it considers negative.

For example, a child who studies for a certain test and gets a good grade. In this case, the parents exempt him from performing any domestic chore or any activity that is unpleasant for him.

As we can see, unlike positive reinforcement, in this case the appearance of a negative or aversive stimulus is eliminated so that a certain behavior increases. However, what they do have in common is that the stimuli will also have to be adapted to the tastes of the person.

• Related article: "What is positive or negative reinforcement in Psychology?"

Skinner's schedules of reinforcement

As commented at the beginning of the article, in addition to theorizing about human behavior, Skinner sought to put these theories into actual practice.. To do this, he developed a series of specific reinforcement schedules, the most prominent being the continuous reinforcement and intermittent reinforcement schedules (interval reinforcement and ratio reinforcement).

1. continuous reinforcement

In continuous reinforcement the person is consistently rewarded for an action or behavior. The main advantage is that the association forms quickly and effectively; however, once the reinforcement is removed, the behavior is also quickly extinguished.

2. intermittent boost

In these cases the person's behavior is only reinforced on certain occasions. This program in turn is subdivided into two categories: interval reinforcement (fixed or variable) or ratio reinforcement (fixed or variable).

In interval reinforcement, the behavior is reinforced after a previously established period of time (fixed) or a random period of time (variable). While in reason reinforcement the person has to carry out a certain number of behaviors before it is reinforced. As in interval reinforcement, this number of responses can be previously agreed (fixed) or not (random).

Criticism of Skinner's theory

Like all areas of study and research, Skinner's theory is not exempt from criticism. The main detractors of these hypotheses accuse Skinner of not taking into account the circumstances around which the behavior occurs, thus creating a theory too reductionist by relying on the experimental method. However, this criticism is countered by drawing attention to the fact that in the experimental method tries to put the focus of attention precisely not on the individual, but on the context, what happens in the environment.