Readings Required:
Chance, P. (2014). Learning and behavior (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Chapter 6, “Reinforcement: Beyond Habit”
Chapter 9, “Operant Applications“
Chapter 8, “Operant Learning: Punishment”
Wiley Online Library (n.d.). Issues of the Journal of Applied Behavior AnalysisLinks to an external site.. Retrieved on October 22, 2016 from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1938-3703/issues
Wiley Online Library (n.d.). Issues of the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of BehaviorLinks to an external site.. Retrieved on October 22, 2016 from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1938-3711
TO PREPARE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:
Read Chapter 9 of your course text to gain an understanding of the uses of operant applications in a multitude of settings and with various populations.
You may wish to review again Chapters 5, 6, and 8, to refresh your understanding of the various operant learning principles covered thus far (positive reinforcement, punishment, differential reinforcement, shaping, chaining, etc.).
Log onto Walden’s library and access APA PsycINFO using your Walden credentials. Search the available research literature for research on the use of operant procedures with participants, or in settings, other than with children or animals.
Find a journal article published within the past ten years that demonstrates a research study application (i.e., a study that collects and analyzes data, provides results, etc.) of an operant procedure applied to a population other than children or animals.
Note: Use key words specific to your topic of interest (e.g., “autism,” “brain injury, “dementia,” “substance abuse,” “safety skills,” “sports,” etc.), or your population or setting of interest (e.g., “adults,” “athletes,” “college,” “workplace,” etc.) in conjunction with terms pertinent to operant techniques and procedures (e.g., “behavioral treatment,” “contingency management,” “reinforcement,” “shaping,” etc.).
Example: Entering keywords together such as “diabetes” and “behavior management” led to this interesting Raiff, Jarvis, and Dallery (2016) research study that incorporated the use of a reinforcement procedure: Text-message Reminders Plus Incentives Increase Adherence to Antidiabetic in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.
You may also choose to search behavioral journals that have a site-specific search engine. For instance:
Abstracts and full-text articles in issues of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis can be located at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1938-3703/issuesLinks to an external site.
Abstracts and full-text articles in issues of the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior and full-text articles can be located at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1938-3711Links to an external site.
After selecting and reading an appropriate scholarly article, review Chapter 2 again and consider some of the possible strengths and limitations of the research study in the article of your choice. Some possible points to consider are the appropriateness of the research design and data collection method for the topic, or the population, or the setting. Think about how future studies could improve upon the research.
Consider the usefulness of the application of the operant concept(s) that you researched and how it could be applied to other areas. For example, if the operant application you examined was applied to increase the effectiveness of college students’ study skills in psychology, consider how this procedure could be adapted to benefit college students in another academic subject, or in an employment setting.
The Assignment (1–2 pages):
Complete the following:
Briefly provide a summary paragraph (no more than 100 words) of the main points of the journal article you evaluated. Include the type of research design used, the population and setting, how the operant concept(s) was applied, and the results.
Applying what you read about the Study of Learning and Behavior in Chapter 2, explain one advantage, and one potential limitation, of the study you reviewed.
Utilizing the Operant Applications information in Chapter 9, explain the usefulness of the operant conditioning concept(s) highlighted in the study you selected and how it could be expanded to uses with other populations or in other settings (see the “To Prepare” area for an example).
Support your Assignment with evidence from the assigned Learning Resources. Provide a reference list for resources you used for this Assignment.
