Initialed by Psychology’s great B.F. Skinner the concept of operant conditioning refers to the learning approach that modifies behavior through rewards and punishments. According to operant conditioning, rewarding behavior is more likely to be repeated, whereas punishing behavior is less likely to occur. Two presumptions formed the basis of his theory. First, an individual’s surroundings are the source of their behavior. Second, the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated is determined by its consequences. When a behavior has a positive outcome, it is more likely to be repeated; when it has a negative outcome, it is less likely to be repeated.
Another psychologist who had an impact on Skinner and his operant conditioning theory was John B. Watson. He researched observable behavior, tactics for controlling it, and the mechanisms by which behaviors are learned. He actually created the term “behaviorism,” which refers to a branch of psychology that studies how people learn. In addition to Watsons influence on Skinner’s work, the term ‘free operants’ was coined by Skinner in observance of how someone spends their time when they have access to a variety of things and activities. A person’s preferred activities can be determined using this kind of preference assessment.
When the new year arrives, many of us want to start doing new things. We often examine the attitudes and behaviors we wish to adopt and change in the pursuit of New Year’s resolutions, creating a new image of the person we wish to be. It appears to be easily accomplished on paper. Getting up at five in the morning for a workout, skin care routines, goal-setting, and other practices that we believe will help us improve as individuals from where we are now. Self-belief is frequently the one essential components that is lacking in our ability to complete our tasks and accomplish our goals. Let’s examine the case of a person who wishes to reduce their body weight. Every year, we witness the increase in gym attendance following January 1st, which eventually subsides by the end of the month. We get off to a great start and then swiftly fall back into the old habits that made us feel the need to change.
Since we essentially need to investigate operant conditioning, I called this post operant conditioning of the self. Fundamentally, we must examine our basic actions and create a framework that will help us achieve our goals. Setting things in perspective can be achieved by comparing the benefits and “punishments” we stand to gain or lose. Let’s say we want to improve as a partner, parent, or friend.
A stronger connection with the person we want to improve our relationships with would be the reward in that case, while the possibility of losing the person on some level would be the punishment, depending on the nature of our and the extent of the damage we are trying to fix.
Change becomes less of a chore if we approach it as a process and make plans for complete success. Returning to the weight loss example; rather than sticking to the status quo of joining a gym and working out for two weeks before stopping, we can list alternative ways to achieve the goal. Taking baby steps, like starting a pattern of healthier eating habits at home and working your way up from there, could make the transition to the change you want easier. We can more clearly illustrate the advantages of change if we train ourselves to weigh the risk against the reward. Change can take many different forms. For example, Skinner mentioned that behavior can be sourced from our environment. Therefore, altering our environment can help us start a successful pattern! Some people are able to move to a completely different city, but not everyone has the resources to do so. So one way to alter your environment could be as simple as revitalizing a space in your home to give it a fresh feel or rearrange the furniture in a selected area. Implementing a “new you” can also be accomplished by creating a list of short self-dates, learning more about yourself is key to change. You can further establish a healthy balance in your life by examining positive habits and determining how to improve them.
As for myself, 2025 looks to be a whole year filled with operant conditioning. The only thing I love more than positive change is positive change! Spending habits, relationships with friends and family, career goals and study habits, as well as wellness goals and expanding on already existing hobbies are all categories in which I implement and employ operant conditioning. I have been working on a major transition for quite some time and I am a firm believer in slow and steady wins the race but also, that kinetic energy well outweighs potential energy and words without actions are just deadweight and fatal failure.
In success, there are no fatal failures but we must experience insignificant failure on some level in order to succeed.
Self Cultivation 