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9 - Operant Conditioning

from Part III - Internal Factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2025

Andrew R. Halloran
Affiliation:
Elgin Centre, Inc., Animal Care & Welfare, Vero Beach, Florida
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Summary

Developed by B. F. Skinner, a prominent Harvard psychologist, operant conditioning distinguishes itself from classical conditioning by focusing on learned behaviours rather than reflexive responses. Skinner’s approach emphasises the impact of external environmental factors over internal psychological states in shaping behaviour. This perspective has been particularly influential in fields such as organisational management, where behaviour modification is often applied to improve workplace dynamics. The chapter further explores how operant conditioning can be utilised in management practices by using reinforcements such as pay raises and promotions to motivate employees. This method does not rely on the internal states like beliefs or motivations but rather on modifying the external environment to achieve desired behavioural outcomes. Overall, this chapter not only delves into the historical and theoretical foundations of operant conditioning but also discusses its practical applications in various settings, providing a thorough understanding of both its principles and utility.

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Animal Curation
The Science of Care and Welfare
, pp. 191 - 206
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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References

Cloutier Barbour, C., Danforth, M. D., Murphy, H., Sleeper, M. and Kutinsky, I., 2020. Monitoring great ape heart health through innovative electrocardiogram technology: Training methodologies and welfare implications. Zoo Biology, 39(6), pp. 443447.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pryor, K., 1984. Don’t shoot the dog!: How to improve yourself and others through behavioral training. New York: Simon and Schuster.Google Scholar
Schapiro, S. J., Bloomsmith, M. A. and Laule, G. E., 2003. Positive reinforcement training as a technique to alter nonhuman primate behavior: quantitative assessments of effectiveness. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 6(3), pp. 175187.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zeligs, J., 2014. Animal Training 101: The complete and practical guide to the art and science of behavior modification. Minneapolis: Mill City Press.Google Scholar

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  • Operant Conditioning
  • Andrew R. Halloran, Elgin Centre, Inc., Animal Care & Welfare, Vero Beach, Florida
  • Book: Animal Curation
  • Online publication: 20 November 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009181525.015
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  • Operant Conditioning
  • Andrew R. Halloran, Elgin Centre, Inc., Animal Care & Welfare, Vero Beach, Florida
  • Book: Animal Curation
  • Online publication: 20 November 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009181525.015
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Operant Conditioning
  • Andrew R. Halloran, Elgin Centre, Inc., Animal Care & Welfare, Vero Beach, Florida
  • Book: Animal Curation
  • Online publication: 20 November 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009181525.015
Available formats
×