Psychology Assignment: Theories of Classical and Operant Conditioning

This psychology assignment explores and contrasts two fundamental learning theories: operant and classical conditioning. It begins by defining operant conditioning, emphasizing B.F. Skinner's contributions and the law of effect, where behaviors are shaped by rewards and punishments. The assignment then introduces classical conditioning, focusing on John Watson and the concept of involuntary behavior, as well as Edward L. Thorndike and Ivan Pavlov's pioneering work. Key differences between the two theories are highlighted, including the nature of the response (voluntary vs. reflexive), the role of stimuli and reinforcement, and how behavior strength is measured. The assignment also discusses the similarities between the two theories, such as their shared basis in association and their governance by general laws. Finally, the document provides references to support the information presented, offering a comprehensive overview of the topic.

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6.2 Psychology Assignment
 B.F. Skinner has developed Operant conditioning which tells about the law of effect.
Law of effect is basically known as reinforcement. Operant conditioning is referred to
voluntary behavior that is the behavior which is not dependent to other thing and is
maintained over a period of time with its importance who follows this voluntary
behavior. For instance, he has done one experiment Skinner has placed pigeon in the
experimental chamber which is called as "Skinner box" which is designed to deliver a
food reward with every systematic or fixed interval. He discovered that by rewarding
bird with food motivate bird and do behavior as per requirement. John Watson has
developed the process of classical conditioning. He explains all aspects of human
psychology. Classical conditioning is referred to the involuntary behavior of human that
is the behavior which depends on other things. Watson believed that the behavior of all
human beings depends on their learning experiences.
 Breakthrough of classical operant theory has started with physiologist Edward L.
Thorndike who suggested that the greater the satisfaction with situation greater will be
the strengthening and greater the discomfort greater will be weakening of bond. On the
other hand breakthrough of Classical theory has started with the Ivan Pavlov (1849 –
1936) who studying the salivation criteria of dog and concluded that meat powder is
considered an unconditional stimulus and the dog saliva is the unconditioned response
and the bell is considered a neutral stimulus he said that Bell becomes conditioned
stimulus which makes the saliva to produce which is a conditions response and then
physiologist John B. Watson came and developed that there is reflexive and
involuntary response. Skinner, B. F. (1984)

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 The two main component of operant conditioning is reward and punishment. On the
other hand, the component of classical conditioning is stimuli and response.
 The main leader of operant conditioning theory of psychology is Edward L. Thorndike in
the U.S. , C. Lloyd Morgan in the U.K. and B. F. Skinner, at Harvard and Clark
Hull at Yale and Kenneth Spence at Iowa. On the other hand, the main
contributors of classical conditioning theory are Ivan Pavlov (1849 – 1936)
John B. Watson (1878 – 1958).
 The main differences between operant conditioning and classical
conditioning theories are-
 In OC the response is voluntary behavior i.e. independent while in CC
there is a reflexive and involuntary response.
 In OC the behavior is unknown to the animal while in CC the behavior
is known to the animals.
 In OC behavior or response foreshadow the punishments and rewards
on the other hand CC reflex or response follows the stimulus.
 In OC pleasurable or enjoyable rewards repeated the same behavior
and punishment lead to extinction while in CC corporation is held
whether the stimulus is pleasurable or aversive.
 In OC the strength is measured with the help of rate of behavior
while in CC the strength is measured with the help of speed and
amount of stimuli. (Joshua, M et al.2008)
“Behavior becomes more likely or less likely depending on its consequences.”-
By G. Stanley Hall
 The similarities between operant and classical conditioning are they
indulge making of collaboration between behavior and events in an

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organism's environment, and it is governed by general laws of
association.
References
Joshua, M., Adler, A., Mitelman, R., Vaadia, E., & Bergman, H. (2008). Midbrain dopaminergic
neurons and striatal cholinergic interneurons encode the difference between reward and aversive
events at different epochs of probabilistic classical conditioning trials. Journal of Neuroscience,
28(45), 11673-11684.
McLeod, S. A. (2007). BF Skinner: Operant conditioning. Retrieved September 9, 2009.
Skinner, B. F. (1984). The evolution of behavior. Journal of the experimental analysis of
behavior, 41(2), 217-221.