Operant Conditioning: A Holistic Approach to Behavior and Health

When humans and other animals learn to relate their behavior with reinforcing or punishing consequences, this is referred to as operant conditioning. In the Operant Conditioning Theory, there are basically four methods consisting of positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment (Ettinger, 2018).

Reinforcement is a method that increases the chances and frequency that a response may occur. Positive reinforcers are stimulus awarded after a response that increases the probability of the response. Negative reinforcers are when stimulus is removed following a desired response, which increases the probability of the initial response (Ettinger, 2018). An example of positive reinforcement would be awarding a child an allowance for completing their chores. An example of negative reinforcement would be removing a curfew for a child completing their homework early. Specific techniques such as shaping, verbal instruction, physical guidance, modeling, and increasing motivation can be implemented to encourage the manifestation of an initial desired operant response. The schedule at which reinforcements are administered can also affect the response behavior. A continuous reinforcement schedule occurs when behavior is reinforced every time it takes place (Ettinger, 2018). An example of this would be rewarding a dog with a treat after it sits still for a determined amount of time. A partial reinforcement schedule occurs when behavior is reinforced for only part of the time (Ettinger, 2018). An example of this would be a fisherman being rewarded with catching fish throughout the day, but with the time in between catches varying. Partial schedules of reinforcement are slower to be instilled but are noticeably more lasting than when no reinforcement is implemented at all. Partial reinforcement schedules breakdown further into either ratio or interval schedules, where both may be either variable or fixed (Ettinger, 2018).

(*File:Operant Conditioning diagram.png – Wikimedia Commons*, n.d.)

Punishment is a method where a stimulus implemented, either added (positive punishment) or removed (negative punishment) following a response affects a decrease in the frequency or chances of that response occurring. A punishment effectiveness in creating a desired change in behavior is determined by the punishment’s consistency, intensity, moderation and if there is a delay between a response and punishment. Also, combining a punishment with positive reinforcement may improve the effectiveness of the punishment (Ettinger, 2018). An example of positive punishment would be adding a curfew to a child in response to the child not completing their homework. An example of negative punishment would be to take away internet access due to the child not completing their homework.

Building of self-discipline and its relative behavior, is something that I was introduced to, through martial arts. I was 16 years-old at the time, and I experienced a very rigidly formatted version of operant conditioning. This is a very instrumental age for most people, where adolescence offers a time to begin to develop a sense of self, independence, identity, and self-awareness (Author Removed at Request of Original Publisher, 2015). Positive reinforcement is a tool used not only in most modern martial arts systems today, but also in coaching of sports, in schools, and other places of exercise to enhance fitness, well-being, self-discipline, stress management and many other reasons. In most martial arts schools, reinforcement and punishment are implemented as methods of operant learning. An individual is often rewarded here with a positive stimulus for a behavior that may be perceived as improving or growing stronger in character or punished by removal of stimulus for not improving or demonstrating good judgement. Particular to martial arts training, when a student starts on this path, most are educated that there exists a work and reward system of positive reinforcement delivered through a belt system. The belts range from the color spectrum where a white belt is a beginner to a blackbelt as having more proficiency, and then various degrees of blackbelt reflecting more expertise. When a student puts in the time and effort towards practicing and attempting to perfect the various exercises, techniques and relative sets or forms, they receive a reward of the next colored belt. I see the scheduling of this technique as partial reinforcement, in that a student doesn’t receive a new belt reflecting their progression after every class, but rather over a longer length of time demonstrating continual improvement.

Conversely, many instructors will use some methods of negative punishment where they maybe remove one-on-one time or personal instruction if a student does not demonstrate improvement of their skills or is perceived as not being serious about their own personal development. Or another example would be positive punishment where a student would be encouraged to stay after class to practice more in order to demonstrate that they are indeed serious about improving. While some of these methods may appear as outdated, harsh, or lacking compassion, I actually see them as being quite the opposite. If the end result and goal is for the individual to develop self-discipline and the infinite number of benefits that come with this trait, then the methods do justify the outcomes.

If instructors, coaches, teachers, and other positions of authority are to use punishment and other apathetic forms of control, they must be conscious of their potential impact. Although punishment may affect a response, it may also condition dysfunctional behaviors in the individual, by cultivating a conflict within the student-teacher relationship (Leeder, 2022).

References:

Author Removed At Request Of Original Publisher. (2015, October 26). 6.3 Adolescence: Developing Independence and Identity – Introduction to Psychology. Pressbooks. Retrieved October 8, 2022, from https://open.lib.umn.edu/intropsyc/chapter/6-3-adolescence-developing-independence-and-identity/

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Leeder, T. (2022) Behaviorism, Skinner, and Operant Conditioning: Considerations for Sport Coaching Practice, Strategies, 35:3, 27-32, DOI:10.1080/08924562.2022.2052776

File:Operant conditioning diagram.png – Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Operant_conditioning_diagram.png

Admin, & Admin. (2023, June 30). B.F. Skinner’s Theory of Operant Conditioning. Communication Theory. https://www.communicationtheory.org/b-f-skinners-theory-of-operant-conditioning/

I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Managing Back Pain – You Have Options

My goal is to present an education for holistic health to increase longevity and quality of life (heathspan), that brings awareness to these time-proven methods. With an intent to de-mystify and simplify explanations, hopefully, more people can come to realize that we are all accountable for our own well-being.

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Stress & Headache Management – University Club Holistic Health Discussion

My classes and discussions go way beyond the teaching of tai chi and qigong alone. My last public discussion at the University Club of Winter Park covered many topics, such as:

– types of stress

– strategic trauma

– parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems

– general adaption syndrome (GAS)

– coping mechanisms

– types of headaches

– herbs for managing sinus headaches

– methods to manage specific types of headaches

– the 12 primary energy meridians

– various acupressure techniques for managing stress and headaches

My 1-hour discussion can be viewed at:

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Glutamate – plays a major role in shaping learning and memory

Glutamate – the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in your brain plays a major role in shaping learning and memory.

Glutamate, also known as glutamic acid, is an amino acid and is a major excitatory neurotransmitter. Excitatory neurons release neurotransmitters that initiate an action potential into postsynaptic neurons. Glutamate originates from glucose and is found in the central nervous system (CNS) including the brain and spinal cord. Glutamate is thought to be an important component of long-term potentiation, which is the process of neuronal functioning that changes and regulates some types of learning and memory. Recent research shows that learning and memory formation can be improved by pharmaceuticals that assist in glutamate activity. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is often used as a food additive for flavoring, contains glutamate. Consuming foods containing large amounts of MSG may induce dizziness and numbness, while possibly inhibiting learning and memory. These symptoms are likely due to the overexciting of glutamate neurons with excessive amounts of glutamate (Ettinger, 2018).

Glutamate can over-excite neurons until they commit suicide, in what is called excitotoxicity. This glutamate imbalance is thought to be involved in some degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Excessive brain glutamate levels may cause numerous symptoms, including hyperalgesia (pain amplification), anxiety, restlessness, and ADHD-like symptoms such as inability to focus. A glutamate deficiency in the brain is thought to cause symptoms such as insomnia, concentration problems, mental exhaustion and low energy (Role of GABA and Glutamate in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, 2022).

References:

Happiest Health. (2023, July 18). Glutamate: excitatory neurotransmitter of brain | Happiest Health. https://www.happiesthealth.com/articles/neurology/glutamate-neural-connections

Andistowe. (2023, April 12). What is Glutamate. Nourished Blessings. https://nourishedblessings.com/what-is-glutamate/

Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.

Role of GABA and Glutamate in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. (2022, June 12). Verywell Health. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/gaba-glutamate-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-716010

Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.

I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises

Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:

http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan

My holistic health blog is available at:

https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/

http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com

Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo

Jim Moltzan

407-234-0119

Do Recreational Sports and Religions Exist in Separate Domains?

Americans do love their sports, as do many other nations and their populations across the world. America has about 29% of the population considered as avid fans and 46% as casual fans (Statista, 2023). Another source reports that Americans consider themselves sports fans in general at 63% versus Europeans at 69% (YPulse, 2023). I surmise that there are many other studies and reports on this topic that will sway far and wide depending upon the researchers and intent for the studies. I think this is important to note due to the question of separation between sports and religion. Additionally, I do think that many Americans feel that they do not have to have an affiliation to sports or religion, where the two can very much be mutually exclusive of each other. Or, where either of these two elements of American culture are related in ways that would make the others incompatible or null to the other. Many do not want to see their own involvement in sports, on any level to be labeled as a religious relationship. However, when analyzed for specific similarities in components of various religions, such as rituals, initiations, use of symbols, conformity to the group and groupthink, superstitions, adherence to uniforms/clothing/hairstyle, and particular jargon, sports fans often have all these boxes checked. So do many branches of the military in the US and worldwide. Many of these facets exist in liminal groups of particular sects and brotherhoods (Kottak, 2019). Ironically, these components are often the same criteria that are evaluated in labeling particular groups as cults or cult-like. “Culture” is often used for more positive contexts. “Cult” is a word that gathers a much more negative response. Being labeled as a cult can have significant consequences for any religious institution, sports team/group, or various other groups and their members, even in countries that are openly committed to religious freedom and freedom of speech (Peretz, et al., 2021).

This topic of recreational activities and religions strikes a nerve with me as I have had firsthand experience and knowledge, in participation within various groups that have received the “cult” label. Church groups (Christianity, Taoism, Scientology), sports teams/groups/fans (baseball, football, cheerleading, rowing), and fitness trends (martial arts, yoga, Falun gong) have all been labeled to outsiders of these groups as cults on some levels large and small. Consequently, I have come to understand that one person’s culture is another person’s cult. Similarly, one person’s sport may be seen as religious to others not in that group.

I do think that a benefit and disadvantage of modern society is the need to assign a label to every single thing, big and small, animate and inanimate, real or imagined, etc. While striving to have clear definitions for all things, we often fail in the realization that not everything is either black or white, or absolute. Rather, all things are in a constant state of flux and/or change, relative to their unique set of circumstances at a given time and place. People in Salem were labeled as witches and burned to death a few hundred years ago. Religious groups worldwide still to this day kill one another to prove who is more righteous. While the US does have its many problems, fortunately, we do have these sometimes-considered pesky little words of the 1st amendment that allow us the right to express ourselves rather in speech, freedom to worship, or freedom to be fanatical in sports and recreation activities as long as it does not infringe upon another’s rights.

Someone may enjoy watching or participating in sports activities but does not necessarily need to be a fan(atic). Similarly again, not all religions need to be labeled as cults, nor are all cults religious. Much grey area as everyone is free to have their own perspectives on these issues here in the US, for now at least. Some places elsewhere in the world cannot even openly engage in this conversation. Sports and religion, despite their similarities, serve different roles in society and culture. Therefore, I agree that religion and recreation can be separated.

References:

Statista. (2023, May 4). Sports fans share in the U.S. 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/300148/interest-nfl-football-age-canada/

YPulse. (2023, June 15). NA vs WE: Who Are the Bigger Sports Fans? – YPulse. https://www.ypulse.com/article/2022/05/19/we-na-vs-we-who-are-the-bigger-sports-fans/

Kottak, C. P. (2019). Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology.

Peretz, E., & Fox, J. A. (2021). Religious Discrimination against Groups Perceived as Cults in Europe and the West. Politics, Religion & Ideology, volume 22, no. 3-4, pages 415–435. https://doi.org/10.1080/21567689.2021.1969921