Applications of operant conditioning

Question 1

Shaping (method of successive approximations)

Answer 1

reinforcement is given for any response that successfully approximates and ultimately moves towards the desired behaviour
E.g used in animal training and teaching children to swim

Question 2

Token economy

Answer 2

a setting in which an individual who displays a desired behaviour receives tokens (reinforcers), which can be collected and exchanged for other reinforcers in the form of actual/tangible rewards
E.g Year 7 students receiving a sticker each time a daily spelling test is passed; the stickers can then be traded for computer game time.