Skinnerian Reward

B. F. Skinner did very classic work with rodents where he developed the theory called "Operant Conditioning".  This theory basically states "Operant conditioning is a type of associative learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment. It is also a procedure that is used to bring about such learning."

I regularly discuss his work in several of my classes, and many of his ideas have played a role in much of the ancillary aspects of my research work as well.  He is one of about six prominent biology and/or psychology researchers who did considerable amounts of groundbreaking research in the 1940s  into the early 1970s whose work I especially respect and admire.  

In thinking about operant conditioning a bit more in preparation for a class lecture, I was thinking about how in my life, my pipes and pipe smoking have been truthfully a reward system, a "reinforcement" using the Skinner term, for me throughout much of my life.  It is of course, abundantly obvious that I have always liked pipes, pipe tobaccos, and pipe smoking.  That is however, only part of the picture.  I have always KNOWN, but have not really put into verbiage the idea that I have used and viewed my pipes, and pipe tobaccos, and my smoking of my pipes as a "reward system" for me.  When I would accomplish a "job well done" or force myself to complete a needed but arduous task, or when I would finish an especially laborious and long work day, I would ebulliently and joyfully reach for my pipe as a method to celebrate the accomplishment.  It was a true reward I would grant myself.  

Now, that said, this does not mean that I would not smoke my pipe at other times too.... to help in thinking, to receive solace, etc.  But... I think the "reward" aspect of my usage and indulgence has been always my favorite aspect.  In looking at my recollection of my dream I wrote about yesterday, pipes with my father-in-law were rewards for me, and likely for him as well.  

While there are so many different aspects of pipe smoking that I miss..... the history of it, the memories of it with my father, father-in-law, old college friends,  the way it could help foster my thoughts, the way it would give me comfort when I was sad or upset.... I can say that I *miss* most the enjoyment of my pipes as a reward to myself.  

I have attempted to find and utilize other "rewards" but truth-be-told, none of them (at least not yet, but hell, it is has been a long time) has ever FELT as much like a reward to me as having a pipe does. 

PipeTobacco