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Compare and Contrast Classical and Operant Conditioning
Pavlov's theory of behaviorism
Compare and Contrast Classical and Operant Conditioning
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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). This essay will first explore what classical conditioning is by using Ivan Pavlov’s famous experiment with dogs to explain how it works. It will then go on to describe how classical conditioning led to more research by Edward L. Thorndike and B.F. Skinner in the study of instrumental behaviour (Gleitman et al. 2011). It will also mention briefly what similarities can be found between operant and classical conditioning before explaining in detail what operant conditioning is (Skinner’s experiment with the operant …show more content…
For example, imagine someone felt a puff of air hit their face. Their natural reaction would be to blink – this is called an unconditioned response (UR). But if they were to hear a horn just before they felt the puff of air, after repetition, they would blink when they heard the horn, to prepare themselves for the puff of air. In this scenario, blinking to the sound of the horn is the CR to the pairing of a CS (the horn) and an US (the puff of air) (Coon, 2005). These terms (CS, US, CR, UR), as well as the word “conditioning”, were first employed by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov (1849 – 1936), who originally studied the digestive system for which he won a Nobel prize in 1904 (Andrews, 2006). It was during these studies that Pavlov was led to the study of behaviour (behaviourism) and what is now known as classical (or pavlovian) …show more content…
2011, p281). Regardless of their differences or similarities however, both have played an important part in the study of learning. With operant conditioning allowing to condition more complex behaviours that can be done with classical conditioning, and with classical conditioning being what helped discover operant conditioning in the first place, it can be argued here that the two are complementary. Indeed, one cannot speak of operant conditioning without mentioning classical conditioning, and vice
Skinner argues that ‘learning is accelerated by reinforcement: a stimulus that increases the probability of a response’ called ‘operant conditioning’ and it is not reliant on what triggered the response but...
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.
Classical conditioning is something that happens on a daily basis, it is a part of life. It can occur anywhere. Classical conditioning is a form of learning that occurs when two stimuli are presented, and then become associated with one another. In classical conditioning, two stimuli are linked in order to achieve a new behavior or response. There are three phases in the conditioning process; first, before starting the conditioning, there is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that initiates an unconditioned response (UCR). This stimulus creates a response that happens naturally. The second phase during the conditioning process, is that an additional stimulus is presented, this is known as the conditioned stimulus (CS).
Learning in its most basic form is our minds associating one thing with another. Digging deeper reveals that there are trends in how human beings and animals learn by association, usually this is done by a brain connecting one event to another. The two different ways a brain tends to learn is through either classical conditioning or operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is learning to associate one stimulus with another stimulus, and Operant Conditioning is learning by associating a response or behavior with a consequence. Knowing how people and animals learn is an important piece of knowledge if one is to help benefit the greater good.
Classical conditioning can be describe as a reflexive or automatic type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus. It was first described by Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936), a Russian physiologist, in 1903, and studied in infants by John B. Watson (1878-1958). In the 1920 's John b. Watson and Rosaline Rayner trailed to show how fear can be induced in an infant through classical conditioning. Designating conditional emotional reactions attempt would become the most infamous psychology studies that has been conducted and would be entitled "the case of little Albert”. Watson goal was to get Albert very afraid of the white rat by comparing the white rat with a very loud, clashing
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.
We focused on three main forms of learning; classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. In classical conditioning, we focused on Pavlovian conditioning. Operant conditioning described the aspects of B.F. Skinner. In observation learning, we centered on Bandura’s four main ideas. Leaning is how we respond, act, and observe what is going on around us.
Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist, described a certain form of conditioning called Classical Conditioning. Classical Conditioning deals with individual’s instinctive responses to specific situations and stimulants. This entire method of causing an individual to learn certain responses and ways revolves completely around behaviors that people don’t actually control. It deals with behaviors that people
In my reaction paper I will discuss B.F. Skinners theory operant conditioning and the ways he tested it out on animals, how it relates to humans, and how I can relate operant conditioning to my own personal life.
John Watson was the founder of behaviorism in the Unites States. He extended classical conditioning by accounting for a greater variety of learning. Watson formulated two ...
Behaviorism is the theoretical approach to learning that looks on the outside influences of an individual rather than the inside. Behaviorism reflects one’s observations and experiences of the environment along with the behaviors of others, not individual feelings and beliefs, (Ormrod, 2015). In other words, behaviorism is constructed on the basis of one’s learning through external factors that cause changes in knowledge and/or behavior. Behavioral learning is marked by conditioning of stimuli, (Ormrod, 2015). There are two types of conditioning, classical and operant. Classical conditioning occurs when one naturally responds to a stimulus. The most renowned example of this being Pavlov 's observation that dogs automatically salivate when food was presented. Pavlov decided do further examine the behavioral qualities of these dogs by produces a noise along with the presentation of the stimulus to encourage a reaction of salivation. Over time, Pavlov took the stimulus away and just rang the bell. He noted that even without the food, the bell would produce the reaction of salivation. Pavlov used this experiment to further his research and present the stimulus-response relationship in which the theory of behaviorism embodies. Operant conditioning arises ...
There are many differences and similarities between each of these learning processes. For example, classical conditioning involves only involuntary or reflex responses where as operant conditioning involves both involuntary and voluntary reflexes. These different learning processes can be used independently in many different situations. Where Classical conditioning may be more effective in one situation it may be useless in another. For this reason each of these learning processes, Classical and operant conditioning, and observational and insight learning are each as important and effective as the other.
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.
Based on the research of B.F. Skinner, the operant conditioning method of learning is where the stimulus/experience transpires
This is selective reinforcement. Pavlov and his dogs were and excellent example of operant conditioning. Pavlov rang a bell when it was time for the dogs to eat; eventually the dogs associated the bell with food. Each time the bell rang the dogs salivated. On the other hand, N.Chomsky who was a nativist argued that children are born with a language acquisition device (LAD).