The Impact of Reinforcement - The Lasting Influence of Skinner's Theories

When we consider why we do many of the things we do - such as checking our phones, preparing for exams, etc. - we can trace much of it back to reinforcement as the central idea in behavioral psychology from B.F. Skinner. Reinforcement is a means of suggesting that behaviors that lead to positive outcomes are more likely to be repeated. Skinner's radical behaviorism indicates how reinforcement took place in a very controlled and systematic way to shape behavior over time, whether it was teaching animals or encouraging desired human behaviors.

The most straightforward way to present this is through smartphone apps. A New York Times article ("How Your Phone Unlocks Dopamine," 2019) discussed how many apps use behavioral principles to make their applications addictive. Apps usually use variable reinforcement schedules, meaning users can get a "reward" (like a "like" or text or a new post) "some" of the time, but also went a significant amount of time without a reward. So, users check back and check back and check back. This is a straight application of Skinner's operant conditioning, which shows that variable reinforcement schedules are able to produce high rates of responding. 

Importantly, while reinforcement can be used in the service of positive behavior, whereby more study and more exercise happen, it can also be used to encourage negative or problematic behavior, if not managed or controlled. Understanding these pieces helps to explain addiction, steady habit formation, and even how to create healthier habits. The key is finding the right balance of reinforcement such that we are ensuring enduring and positive change as opposed to just temporary participation or dependence on reinforcement to engage or comply. 

In summary, Skinner's work is more than just academic; it can act as a tool to understand and modify our behavior in a practical way. The point is knowing how reinforcers work and applying this knowledge will allow us to be more strategic in our decision-making and goal setting, whether linking it to the individual and personal level, or thinking about it in relation to the technology we create that may undermine our health and well-being.

References:

  • Powell, R. A., Symbaluk, D. G., & Honey, R. C. (2020). Introduction to Learning and Behavior (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Alter, A. (2019, April 18). How Your Phone Unlocks Dopamine and Keeps You Hooked. The New York Times.https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/18/opinion/sunday/phones-social-media-addiction.html



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