Conditioned Learning
There are 3 types of conditioned learning classical, operant, and cognitive/social conditioning. Classical Conditioning can be voluntary or involuntary, and is defined as “learning that occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response” (Wiley, 2000-2010, Chapter 6). Operant Conditioning is “learning in which voluntary responses are controlled by their consequences” (Wiley, 2000-2010, Chapter 6). The final cognitive/social conditioning is defined as “A perspective that emphasizes the roles of thinking and social learning in behavior” (Wiley, 2000-2010, p. 6).
Starting as a very young child I often had to be in the back seat of the car with my older brother Troy while my mother ran errands. We often found ourselves very bored. Creating some kind of a game to entertain ourselves seemed the normal thing to do. Although our games may include hitting each other every time we saw a certain kind of vehicle, or laughing loudly, often the end result of our games would be arguing. This would intensely irritate our mother and whoever was in the front passenger seat (usually our grandmother). At this point, they would tell us if we are good for the remainder of the trip we will get ice cream or get to stop at McDonalds. We were always rewarded with some kind of food. Soon we learned to ask when it was announced that we would be stuck in the back of car all day if we could go to whichever food establishment was on our minds if we were good.
Our unconditioned stimulus was the want for food, or treats. Humans are born with a natural desire for food. Our unconditioned response was a natural desire to win the reward. Through classical conditioning I learned that every time I got into the car I needed to eat. This happened through repeatedly being rewarded with fast food or treats for being