Do Americans know Yahoo is using Operant Conditioning?

Question

Yahoo has blatantly used operant conditioning in at least two ways: 1.) on its recommendation option for the message boards, and 2.) in the points system for answering a question on the "Ask a question" webpages. If you don't know what operant conditioning is, it is basically giving someone a reward ("reinforcement") for a specific behavior, and after you do that specific behavior you get the reward. The reward makes it more likely that you will keep coming back to be rewarded again. Yes, points and recommendations are not big rewards for most people, but that doesn't make it any less an attempt to use operant conditioning. Granted most Americans probably don't know the term "operant conditioning" but they might realize the "reward" of getting a recommendation or "points" is drawing them to participate. Yes?

It's an underhanded Yahoo ploy to get more people using its features and clicking away for the sake of getting them more profits from corporate advertising.

Answer 1

SO!!!

Answer 2

So, what's the problem? Only an idiot wouldn't know what's happening. We all know how it operates and if we are participating, then we condone it.

Advertising keeps this forum "free".

What's the problem?

Answer 3

Interesting!

Answer 4

wat?????????????

Answer 5

i find it very smart. don't u?

i also find u very smart to notice it and be able to explain it so well, since most people do not realize this level of advertising system.

i knew it.

Answer 6

I thought it was why my hair was so shiny!

If you don't like it, don't use Yahoo!!!!

That's easy enough.

Answer 7

1 i never click on adverts

2 i don't care about points

3 i am on here because i like a to give sarcastic answers sometimes

4 if a question makes me think or increases my knowledge that is reward enough

i understand what you mean by operant conditioning but with a bit of thought you dont get sucked in

thanks for the interesting question

now one for you why are you on here

Answer 8

Sooooooooooo.  Whats the question?

Answer 9

wow!  Most excellent! Never thought of that. Excellent question/statement!

Answer 10

Actually, some people here just like the fact that they can get ANSWERS from real people who may be able to help them.

don't forget to wear your foil helmet or the aliens will probe you.

Answer 11

It is also used in advertising, classrooms, jobs, and every other aspect of life where you want to control a person's behavior.  Every society uses it--it is called socialization.  They condition you to fit into that particular society or set of norms.  It is nothing to panic about.

There is also nothing wrong with corporate advertising.  Advertising keeps the economy going forward as well as educating the masses.  For example, I had no clue about genital herpes until the Valtrex commercials explained it.  I just knew it was a bad VD that wasn't curable.