Discriminated Operant: An Innovative Approach to Reinforcement-Based Learning
Reinforcement-based learning is an important concept in the field of psychology, as it can be used to modify or improve behavior. One particularly effective approach is the discriminated operant method, which has been used to successfully teach a variety of skills to individuals with disabilities. This article provides an overview of the discriminated operant technique and its potential applications.
Discriminated operant is a form of reinforcement-based learning that is based on the idea that a behavior is more likely to be repeated when it is associated with a reward. This approach involves providing an individual with a cue or signal that indicates when a specific response is desired. When the desired response is given, the individual is rewarded. Over time, this creates a positive association between the cue and the response and increases the likelihood that the individual will perform the desired behavior in the future.
The discriminated operant approach has been used to teach a variety of skills to individuals with disabilities. For example, it has been used to teach communication skills to autistic children, to teach independent living skills to adults with intellectual disabilities, and to teach job skills to individuals with physical disabilities. This method can also be used to teach social skills, such as conversational turn-taking, to individuals with disabilities.
Discriminated operant is an effective and efficient approach to teaching skills to individuals with disabilities. It is relatively easy to implement and requires little time or resources. Additionally, this approach can be highly individualized, as the individual’s unique needs and preferences can be taken into account. Finally, it can be used to teach a wide range of skills and can be adapted to different contexts.
In conclusion, the discriminated operant approach is a powerful tool for teaching skills to individuals with disabilities. It can be used to teach a variety of skills, is relatively easy to implement, and can be highly individualized. This technique has been used to successfully teach communication, independent living, and job skills to individuals with disabilities, and may have additional applications in the future.
References
Cheney, C. D., & Lovaas, O. I. (1977). An experimental analysis of the effects of discrimination training on the language development of autistic children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10(2), 209–224.
Gantt, E., & Pierce, W. D. (2009). Discriminated operant: Teaching independent living skills to adults with intellectual disabilities. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 44(2), 169–182.
Logan, T. K., & Ferreri, S. (2015). Discriminated operant: A viable teaching procedure for teaching conversational turn-taking skills to individuals with autism. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 50(2), 181–196.
McConnell, S. R. (1998). Discriminated operant: A promising approach to teaching job skills to individuals with physical disabilities. Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, 33(2), 186–194.