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Compare classical and operant conditioning
Compare classical and operant conditioning
Compare classical and operant conditioning
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Learning and behaviorism are two topics that are still studied in contemporary psychology. Experience is a key element in learning, which is believed to bring about change in a behavior. It is important to note that the changes in behavior, however, do not signify that learning was the cause. The two widely recognized types of learning are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov is mostly commonly associated with classical conditioning. Association is key in classical conditioning. On the other hand, operant conditioning is learning that is mostly associated with two particular aspects: a response and a consequence. Learning through classical conditioning and operant conditioning are topics whose methods are still practiced today by many. An example of operant conditioning and classical conditioning is demonstrated in the essay scenario. According to the scenario, Sally, the mother of 13-year-old Gertrude, has observed the behaviors of her daughter and have deemed them undesirable. Gertrude’s actions are behaviors because they can easily be observed and/or measured. Respondent behavior and operant behavior is clearly observed in the scenario. Before examining the scenario in detail, it is important to clearly understand and define the two types of learning that affect behavior. Two important figures of classical conditioning are Ivan Pavlov and John B. Watson. As stated before, classical conditioning relies on association, specifically, the association between two stimuli. This type of learning is noted for the way it is capable of eliciting responses through the stimulus, the type that is independent of a behavior. It is the form of learning that involves the formation of a c... ... middle of paper ... ...nderstand the process of learning. As such, by examining everyday situations similar to but not limited to Sally and Gertrude’s, one can easily observe and measure behavior that can be learned or changed. Thus, learning through classical conditioning and operant conditioning remain topics whose methods are still practiced today by many. Works Cited Grohol, John M.. (2005). Internet Addiction. Psych Central. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. . Lahey, Benjamin B. (2009). Psychology: An Introduction. Boston: Mcgraw-Hill Higher Education. Print. (10th ed., 209, 219, 222). Wayne State University, Lawrence Technological University, University of Detroit-Mercy, Greenfield Coalition for New Manufacturing Education. (2007). Operant Behaviors Defined. Operant. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. mem/operbehv.html>.
The two main forms of conditioning, are classical conditioning (learning by association), and operant condition (learning from consequences).Classical conditioning, is the learning process in which one is conditioned (learns) to respond to a neutral stimulus as if it were a meaningful stimulus. In operant conditioning, learning occurs through associations made between a behavior and the consequence that follows.
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“Operant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Through operant conditioning, an association is made between a behavior and a consequence for that behavior” (Cherry). Positive reinforcement which is praising a person for doing something good verses negative reinforcement which is an unpleasant remark a punishment. B.F. Skinner did an experiment on a rat, the rat was taught to push two buttons, one to receive food and the other was a light electric shock. The rat tried both buttons and realized which button was good and which one was bad. This experiment goes to show that upon the rewards and punishment system one can learn their rights from their wrongs through a series of lessons. Kincaid and Hemingway both use operant conditioning to show human behavior under stimulus control.
Davis, S. F., & Palladino, J. J. (2003). Psychology. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Classical conditioning refers to a type of learning in which a previously neutral stimuli took on the ability to stimulate a conditioned response in an individual (Gormezano & Moore, 1966). To prove that environment was more impactful than genetics, Watson conducted an experiment on an infant, little Albert. Initially, Albert showed little fear towards rats. When Watson repeatedly exposed Albert to the rat accompanied by a loud noise, the latter began to develop fear towards not just the rat but also other furry animals. Watson successfully showed that the acquisition of a phobia can be explained by classical conditioning (Watson & Watson, 1921). Regardless of their genes, the associations of the right stimuli can result in the development of a new behaviour in any individual.
I observed the teacher sitting down with a group of students reading a book. As she would read she would have the children repeat what she would say. “Say goodnight to the bird”. This relates to Albert Bandura’s Social Learning theory. This theory claims people learn from one another, via observation, imitation, and modeling.(Berk 2013) The kids are learning by imitating what the teacher is having them say. Later I observed a kid walk over to a small bookshelf and knocked it over. The teacher came over and was visibly upset. She scolded the kid very sternly for this action. This relates to B.F Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning. This is the idea that behavior is determined by its consequences. Whether it be reinforcement or punishments, which make it more or less likely that behavior will happen again.(Berk 2013) Since the adult was stern and made it clear she was disappointed, it lowers the likeliness this child will knock over the bookshelf
Ivan Pavlov developed a theory called classical conditioning which proposes that learning process occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus. Classical conditioning involves placing a neutral signal before a naturally occurring reflex like associating the food with the bell in Pavlov experiment. In classical conditioning, behavior is learnt by association where a stimulus that was originally neutral can become a trigger for substance use or cravings due to repeated associations between those stimuli and substance use (Pavlov, 1927).
From the time we are born to the time we die, we learn new things every day, everyone knows that if you learn something new a day then you are doing okay. However, what most people do not know is how we learn and how our minds become disciplined while we are learning. There are two ways that we, as humans, learn new things. One is called classical conditioning. Classical Conditioning is a process where one object is connected with another object that generates a certain response. The second way is call operant conditioning, which is more commonly used. Operant conditioning uses rewards and punishments for our actions. Both ways have been studied by psychologist by research and experiments.
Ciccarelli, Saundra, and White, J. Noland. Psychology Second Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc. 2009. Print.
Baird, A. A. (2011). THINK Psychology (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. (pp. 264-275).
I. Introduction of classical conditioning Classical conditioning also called as Pavlovian conditioning or respondent conditioning. It is a kind of learning a new behavior through association that when a conditioned stimulus (CS) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US) and evokes a conditioned response (CR). It also is a learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus (Cherry, 2014). Classical conditioning has much strength such as can help to explain all aspects of human behavior and many of advertisers will use classical conditioning to advertise their produces, however it also have some weaknesses such as all classical conditioning responses must involve a reflex and classical conditioning is a completely physical process, learning is not important as reflected in scenario. This paper will talk about the strengths and the weaknesses of classical conditioning theory followed by a brief description of the scenario and the strengths and weaknesses of applying classical conditioning on it.
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Boyd, D., Wood, E.G., Wood, S.E. (2014, 2011, 2008). Mastering the world of psychology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. 128-129, 329-330, 335-340. Print.
Learning is defined as a “process of change that occurs as a result of an individual’s experience” (Mazure, 2006). Researchers assume that the process of learning follows certain general principles, which were developed, into the general process learning theories. These include operant conditioning and classical conditioning which has been put forward by leading psychologists like Pavlov, B.F.Skinner and Thorndike. However, in learning, operant and classical conditoning are opposed by biological constraints that state that there are limitations to the theories. Some of these biological constraints on learning will be discussed below.
Classical conditioning and operant conditioning both played a key role in the history of the study of learning, but, as argued by B.F Skinner, there are key differences to be noted between the two (Gleitman, Gross, Reisberg, 2011).