Final answer:
The training of a seal to balance a ball using treats represents operant conditioning through positive reinforcement, specifically a process called shaping.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario described by the student is a perfect example of operant conditioning using positive reinforcement. In this method, actions that get closer to the desired behavior are rewarded to increase the likelihood of the behavior being repeated. In the case of the seal, the treat acts as a positive reinforcer, which encourages the seal to repeat behaviors that earn treats. This gradual process is known as shaping, which involves reinforcing successive approximations of the target behavior, until the desired complex behavior is consistently performed.
Operant conditioning is a type of learning where an individual's behavior is modified by its consequences; essentially, behaviors followed by rewards are more likely to recur, and those followed by punishments are less likely to recur. This method of training is quite efficient in teaching both simple and complex tasks. B.F. Skinner, the psychologist behind the concept of operant conditioning, demonstrated this with experiments like teaching pigeons to peck a disc or even play ping pong by rewarding them with food. The significance of timely reinforcement is crucial in shaping behavior, ensuring that the subject associates the reward directly with the action performed.