Premium Essay

Classical Conditioning vs. Operant Conditioning

In:

Submitted By Tassie123
Words 656
Pages 3
There are different kinds of ways that people and animals learn. People can adjust the way they learn to the different situations in which they are learning and what they have to learn. One form of learning is known as conditioning. Conditioning emphasizes the relationship between stimuli and responses. The two types of conditioning found are Classical conditioning and Operant conditioning. Learning may occur in different ways.
Classical Conditioning is a type of learning in which an organism learns to transfer a natural response from one stimulus to another, previously a neutral stimulus (Franzoi, 2010). However, reflexes must be manipulated. The term "unconditioned" simply means that the stimulus and the response are naturally connected and produces an emotional response already present before changes have been made (Franzoi, 2010). Operant conditioning is a learning method in which behavior is increased or decreased by the use of reinforcement or punishment. Operant conditioning deals with more cognitive thought process. There are two types of reinforcements: positive reinforcements and negative reinforcements.
There are four components of classical conditioning. They are unconditional stimulus – stimulus that naturally elicit the target response (the meat powder in Pavlov’s experiment); conditioned stimulus – stimulus that comes to elicit the target response (the tone in Pavlov’s experiment); unconditioned response – occurs as a result of the unconditioned stimulus and conditioned response – occurs in response to the conditional stimulus (Hall, 1998). The components of operant conditioning are reinforcement (positive and negative) – an event that strengthens or increase the behavior in a favorable or unfavorable events or outcome (Cherry, 2012). Another component of operant conditioning is punishment (positive and negative) – an adverse event of outcome

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Classical and Operant Conditioning

...Classical and Operant Conditioning BEH/225 Ah’Nonda Bates March 28, 2014 Classical and Operant Conditioning Two behavior modification techniques important to behavioral psychology are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning and operant conditioning are both types of learning processes, but each with different focuses. Classical conditioning was developed by Ivan Pavlov. Ivan Pavlov contributed to the world of psychology through his study of behaviorism. His development of classical conditioning began through his experiments known as Pavlov’s Dogs. In these experiments, Pavlov studied classical conditioning, learning through association between environmental stimulus and natural occurring stimulus. Classical conditioning included four main principles: the unconditioned stimulus, the unconditioned response, the conditioned stimulus, and the conditioned response. An example of this type of learning process would be a person’s reaction to a cold medicine. The subject drinks the cold medicine and immediately becomes sick to their stomach and vomits due to having the flu. Over time, the subject becomes nauseated just at the sight of the cold medicine. The flu is the unconditioned stimulus, vomiting is the unconditioned response, the cold medicine is the controlled stimulus, and the nausea is the controlled response. Operant conditioning is a learning process that was developed by B.F. Skinner. B.F. Skinner also contributed through...

Words: 536 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Phobias and Addictions

...about being under water"; "a phobia of germs.” An addiction is the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. Phobias and addictions are related to classical and operant conditioning. Phobias and addictions are two emotional difficulties, which theorists can account for. Phobias can be acquired through classical conditioning by pairing a neutral stimulus with something that causes pain. Phobia responses can be permanent unless the organism is subjected to the extinction process. In the extinction process, one must confront the fear without the presence of the unconditioned stimulus. For example, in Watson’s experiment, Little Albert developed a phobia of white rats (and other furry objects) as a result of pairing the white rat with a loud bang. The phobia could have been extinguished by repeatedly exposing Little Albert to the white rat without the loud bang. Another way to extinguish a phobia is through counter conditioning. In counter conditioning, the conditioned stimulus is paired with a pleasant stimulus. Little Albert could have extinguished his phobia of the white rat by pairing it with something pleasant (e.g., food, praise) ("Phobias,” 2010). Ivan Pavlov is known for his theory of classical conditioning. This can be thought of as a reaction learned through the pairing of stimuli (motivations). During his study of dogs, Pavlov noted that when dog food is presented, the dogs begin to salivate...

Words: 965 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Phobias and Addictions

...Phobias and Addictions Chantel Billingsley PSY/300 May 30, 2014 Brian Hawkins Abstract This paper provides a broad overview of phobias and addictions. The difference between classical conditioning and how it relates to phobias will be dicussed, as well as operant conditioning and how it develops into addictions. Distinguishing between classical and operant conditioning, will show the differences between the two. I will cover what extinction means and how it is achieved in both types of conditioning. "Phobia" means "morbid fear" in greek (What is Phobia, 2014). Fear is a natural response to a genuine danger. Phobias are the emotional and physical reactions to feared objects or situations; this fear becomes irrational and excessive. Feelings of horror, panic and terror may occur. Reactions become automatic and uncontrollable, taking over a person's thoughts and sometimes causing physical symptoms. These symptoms can include rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling and overwhelming desire to avoid the feared object or situation. There are three major categories of phobias. First category called specific phobias focuses on certain objects, animals, people and situations. Some of the most recognized phobias fall under this category; the fear of heights (acrophobia), the fear of spiders (arachnophobia) and the fear of enclosed spaces(claustrophobia). The second major category is the fear of open spaces (agoraphobia). Most individual...

Words: 1345 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Phobias and Addictions

...developed through classical conditioning. According to Barlett (2013) “addiction is defined as the need for and use of a habit forming substance despite knowledge that the substance is harmful” (p. 349). Additions can be developed through operant conditioning. Phobias and addictions are different forms of behaviors just as classical and operant conditioning are responses learn responses. Extinction is also a form of classical conditioning. Both classical and operant conditioning differ in how an individual responds. Phobias and Addictions Phobias are human developed fears. They are fears seem irrational or harmless to other individuals. Phobias can be developed through classical conditioning according to Kowaski and Westen (2011) “In classical conditioning, an environmental stimulus leads to a learned response, through pairing of an unconditioned stimulus with a previously neutral conditioned stimulus” (p. 169). An environmental stimulus anything in an individual’s surroundings that may affect them. A neutral conditioned stimulus is when a response does not happen automatically. This means that an environment that may not affect others has the potential to leave a person frightened based on a negative experience. For example, if a woman got bitten by a dog running towards her as a child, she is more likely to fear a dog running towards her as an adult. The woman may develop a phobia of dogs. Addictions are not part of classical conditioning. Classical conditioning is how surroundings...

Words: 824 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Phobias and Addictions

...discussing phobias and addictions in relation to classical and operant conditioning. I will research and explore how phobias can be developed through classical conditioning, and how addictions can be developed through operant conditioning. I will also explain what extinction means in psychology and how it is achieved in both classical and operant conditioning. The first thing you need to know is what exactly a phobia is. A phobia is an uncontrollable fear of an object or situation that is unreasonable and can develop in many ways; one of these ways is through conditioning. People have fears all the time, but a phobia affects a person’s daily life. Phobias for some people make it to where they become reclusive, or they cannot leave the comfort of their own homes, or their safe place. There are two main types or categories of phobias; they are specific phobias and social phobias. A specific phobia is an uncontrollable fear of a specific thing or a specific stimulus. There are animal phobias where a person is afraid of a certain animal or insect, for example the fear of spiders is called arachnophobia. There are environmental phobias like a fear of storms or heights. There are phobias of medical procedures as well as situational phobias like small spaces or flying. A social phobia is an uncontrollable fear of a particular situation such as giving a presentation in front of a large crowd or going to a party. Classical conditioning can be used to create a phobia or to help to...

Words: 849 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Pavlovian Thery

...Classical conditioning shapes many of society's common, everyday tasks. Whether we know it or not, many actions we do numerous times a day are a direct result of classical conditioning. To better understand why we act the way we do in society, classical conditioning must be defined and described. Classical conditioning is defined as: a process by which a previously neutral stimulus acquires the capacity to elicit a response through association with a stimulus that already elicits a similar or related response. Discovered by Ivan Pavlov, classical conditioning is a form of learning. Pavlov revealed this trait when experimenting with dog's amounts of saliva in response to meat. He started noticing that after many repetitions, the dogs were salivating before the meat was even introduced. Pavlov concluded that some other stimulus that was repetitively associated with the meat was triggering the salivation. This simple concept describes how many actions are carried out in society today. Many times classical conditioning is not something that is purposefully done, but rather an incidental outcome. Conditioning may take a variable amount of time to occur. For example, humans are not born associating red with stop. As we grow, and ride in cars, we begin to consciously or subconsciously figure out that when a stoplight is red-you stop. Stop signs are red, stoplights are red, and brake lights are red. All of these things symbolize stopping. Yes, when you turn sixteen and you get your...

Words: 3796 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Phobias & Addictions

...08/27/2014 Carl Grossen How and why do people develop phobias and addictions? Some people believe that these conditions come from a person’s environment and the way they were raised. There have been many studies to determine how people develop addictions through operant conditioning and how phobias develop through classical conditioning. To understand how these conditions develop one must first define and understand the differences between classical and operant conditioning. By learning how these conditions are created will in turn help achieve the process of extinction this is a technique to help overcome phobias and addictions. Classical and operant conditioning is two types of behaviors in psychology. These two processes are very different, but they both result in learning. Classical conditioning has an impact on behaviorism that is a school of thought in psychology. Behaviorism is a theory that is learned through experiences in the environment. Classical conditioning involves an environmental stimulus that automatically triggers a response. Phobias are created through classical conditioning. An example of this would be if a snake bit someone as a child they might form a phobia of snakes. Operant conditioning is a method of learning that happens through punishments or reinforcements to increase or decrease someone’s behavior. There are two types of reinforcements; one is positive reinforcements with this the behavior is strengthened by a direct reward. For example with...

Words: 1013 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Psychology

...learning happen without language or words? o Through experience o Through association Types of Learning • Associative Learning o Classical Conditioning: learning to link two stimuli in a way that helps us anticipate an event o Operant Conditioning: changing behavior choices in response to consequences • Cognitive Learning: acquiring new behaviors and information through observation and information, not by direct experience Associative Learning: Classical Conditioning • How it Works: 1. Repeated exposure to tow stimuli occurring in sequence 2. We associate these stimuli with each other Result: Our natural response to one stimulus is now triggered by the new stimulus Classical Conditioning Example • Stimulus 1: See lightening • Stimulus 2: Hear thunder • Response- surprise and wincing at the loud noise After repetition • Stimulus: See lighting • Response: Cover ears to avoid sound Ivan Pavlov’s Discovery • Ivan Pavlov found that dogs salivated not just from food being in their mouths • Neutral Stimuli o Seeing the food o Seeing the dish o Seeing the person who brought the food o Hearing that person’s footsteps Before Conditioning Neutral Stimulus: (NS) A stimulus which does not trigger a response- dog food Unconditional Response (UR): dog salivates During Conditioning NS+US (Unconditioned stimulus) = UR After Conditioning The dog begins to salivate upon hearing the tone (N.S. becomes C.S.) Conditioned (formally neutral stimulus): Bell Conditioned...

Words: 776 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Human Memory

...functions of the human brain, what it can do and how it can perform. Two of the basic processes for learning, are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Also some more information human brain is that it is equipped with the ability to solve problems, make decisions, and use a sophisticated language. This also comes to mind when talking about intelligence: “Only human beings are capable of creating methods to measure the intellectual achievements” (Career Education, 2010) Memory is a system or process by which the products or results of learning are stored for future. It is also the most important thing a human can do to be well experienced and know about anything. There are 2 types of learning, which are classical conditioning and operant conditioning; in classical conditioning you are trying to increase the probability of a response to some neutral stimulus by pairing that stimulus with a following stimulus that already produces the response (University of West Florida, 2009). For example classical conditioning involves learning new behavior via the process of association (Saul McLeod, 2008). Meaning that is a teenager was to hangout with people that are intellectual he will learn to behave the same way they do or the opposite if he was to hang out around with someone that is a thief he will learn to be a thief. It is a simple yet a rectifying way of putting it. Operant Condition in the other hand is the form of learning in which responses that are usually...

Words: 884 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Behaviorism Perspective

...___ Behaviorism Perspectives For the purpose of this paper the theories of John B. Watson and his introduction of behaviorism in 1913 and his eventual scandal and departure from the world of psychology will be discussed along with, Burrhus F. Skinner and his introduction of operant conditioning and its continued impact on the world of psychology and finally Edward Tolman and his theories of molar vs. molecular, goal-directedness, intervening variable and cognitive maps will be discussed. Each of these philosophers had their own theories regarding behaviorism and each of them had impacts on the behaviorism that we use in today’s psychology. First we will take a look at each of their individual theories on behaviorism, and then we will compare and contract those theories. In conclusion these theories will be reviewed along with the theory that has lasted the test of time. John B. Watson J. B. Watson introduced his psychological school of behavior theory in 1913. His theory was based on the control and prediction of behaviors. He set out to prove his theory with one of his most famous studies of little Albert B. He theorized that children had three basic emotional reactions, love, fear and rage. His experiment set out to prove that he could instill behaviors in Albert and control those behaviors. He began his experiment by introducing Albert to a white rat, when Albert would reach out to touch the rat he then would make a loud noise behind his head causing him to pull away...

Words: 1395 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Operant

...Operant Conditioning Paper Operant Conditioning Paper Operant Conditioning is the assumption that behavior is a function of its consequence. Simply stated, individuals behave in a particular manner to obtain a response or to escape it. The general principle behind operant conditioning is that when naturally occurring behavior is emitted, reinforcement can strengthen the future existence of that behavior. Operant Conditioning was the dominant perspective in American psychology from the 1930s through the 1950s. B.F. Skinner, the mastermind behind the operant conditioning theory “argued that creating pleasing consequences to follow specific forms of behavior would increase the frequency of that behavior. He demonstrated that people will most likely engage in desired behaviors if they are positively reinforced for doing so; that rewards are most effective if they immediately follow the desired response; and that behavior that is not rewarded, or is punished, is less likely to be repeated.” Epstein, R. (ed). 1980. Positive and Negative Reinforcement Positive reinforcement is the accumulation of a positive, interceding variable among produced actions and a reaction which makes the future probability of that response increase; equally, negative reinforcement is the elimination of a negative, interceding variable among produced actions and a reaction which makes the future probability of that response increase. The healthiest and most powerful types of reinforcement...

Words: 802 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Operant and Classical Conditioning

...environmental factors, such as learning, contribute more to the etiology and maintenance of anxiety than do genes (Eley, 2001). The principles of operant conditioning have taught us to recognize how certain coping techniques can reward, and therefore continue anxiety disorders. Two similar coping strategies for dealing with anxiety symptoms are called avoidance and escape. For more information about coping strategies, please review this section. As the name implies, avoidance refers to behaviors that attempt to prevent exposure to a fear-provoking stimulus. Escape means to quickly exit a fear-provoking situation. These coping strategies are considered maladaptive because they ultimately serve to maintain the disorder and decrease functioning. Operant conditioning enables us to understand the powerful impact of these two coping strategies. Both coping strategies are highly reinforcing because they remove or diminish the unpleasant symptoms. Unfortunately, they do nothing to prevent the symptoms from re-occurring again and again in the future. In 1947, O. Hobart Mowrer proposed his two-factor theory of avoidance learning to explain the development and maintenance of phobias. Mowrer's two-factor theory combined the learning principles of classical and operant conditioning. Based upon the principles of classical...

Words: 1987 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Conditioning Vs Behaviorism

...from their individual environments through classical and operant conditioning. Classical Conditioning. Classical Conditioning is “the alteration in responding that occurs when two stimuli are regularly paired in close succession: the response originally given to the second stimulus comes to be given to the first” (2). Pavlov’s Dogs. Ivan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist in the 1890s who did studies on dogs creating “Pavolovian Conditioning” also know as classical conditioning. In his studies he began to look at the correlation between dogs salivating in response to being fed. A dog salivating in response to being fed is not a learned trait but a reflex. The dog salivating is an unconditioned response, which means it requires no learning (3). Pavlov started measuring the salivation secretions in response to being fed (3). Through his studies Pavlov saw that any object or event that the dog associated with being fed would make the dog salivate. “Classical conditioning is "classical" in that it is the first systematic study of basic laws of learning / conditioning” (3)....

Words: 1528 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Maps

...PERSONALITY Psychoanalytic Freud’s psychosexual theory Structure: id (pleasure principle), ego (reality principle), superego (morals, ideals) Levels of awareness: conscious, preconscious, unconscious Development: oral, anal, phallic (Oedipal complex, penis envy), latency, genital Fixations Defense mechanisms - reduce anxiety Repression (primary) Regression Reaction formation Rationalization Displacement Sublimation Projection Denial Neo-Freudians Adler—social, not sexual tensions * Birth order, inferiority complex Horney—rejected penis envy idea Carl Jung—collective unconscious Assessment Projective tests Rorschach TAT - Thematic Apperception Test Draw-a-person Sentence completion Evaluation: * Repression often not shown (vivid memory often results after trauma) * Terror management theory Social-cognitive Reciprocal determinism—interplay of Personal factors/internal cognition Behavior Environment Personal control (Julian Rotter) External locus of control Internal locus of control *Without internal locus, learned helplessness results Explanatory style (Martin Seligman) Optimistic Unstable, specific, external Pessimistic Stable, global, internal Bandura Personality influenced by observational learning, outside influences (Bobo doll study) Self-efficacy (belief in ability to do things that lead to positive outcomes) Humanism Maslow—self-actualization Hierarchy of needs * Safety—security—love—selfesteem—self-actualization Carl Rogers—person-centered Genuineness Unconditional...

Words: 1659 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

In Cold Blood Nature Vs Nurture

...Nature VS Nurture To make an argument for either nature vs nurture, one must know what each word means in this case exactly. Nature is the term used for genetics, while nurture is the term used for environment. Examples of the genetics would be someone’s looks and chronic conditions such as ADD or ADHD. Examples for environment would be how someone is raised, what they grow to believe in, or what they learn from others. Technically, there is no actual way for anyone to say that either one is a more dominant fixture as to how someone behaves at a later age, but there are some cases that do show that nurture affects the person more than nature. People in the book In Cold Blood such as Perry Smith and Barbara Smith, and psychologists, such as...

Words: 1698 - Pages: 7