OPERANT CONDITIONING AND BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION OF BETTA SPLENDENS FISH: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT

Abstract

This study, grounded in Skinner's Experimental Analysis of Behavior, focuses on the application of operant conditioning to modify the behavior of a Betta fish. The aim of the study was to condition the fish to feed exclusively in the presence of orange light in an aquarium with specific conditions. Discriminative training, shaping, and continuous reinforcement techniques were applied. The practices carried out showed remarkable changes in the fish's behavior over the course of the experiment, indicating the effectiveness of operant conditioning. The application of procedures based on the basic principles of experimental behavior analysis revealed valuable insights into the Betta fish's adaptability to controlled contingencies, highlighting the effectiveness of the applicability of behaviorist principles in behavior modification.