In behavioral psychology, we have what is called conditioning. It is a learning process where two things are continually paired to form a new association.
Classical and operant conditioning are the two basic theories in behavioral psychology. These two conditions explain the way humans and animals learn.
What is the distinction between classical conditioning and Operant Conditioning? There are quite a few differences between the two.
Classical conditioning entails learning through associations between stimuli, whereas operant conditioning entails learning through the consequences of behaviour.
Additionally, Classical conditioning is mostly applied to emotional and physiological responses, whereas Operant Conditioning applies to many ranges of behaviors and skills.
Classical and Operant conditioning have unique merits and demerits. By evaluating their distinctions, you can get useful insights about the means of learning and behavior.
In this article, you will get to know more.
Before we look in depth at the differences, let’s look briefly at each of them.
What is The Distinction Between Classical Conditioning And Operant Conditioning?
Classical Conditioning
Another name is Pavlovian or respondent conditioning. This was first researched by Ivan Pavlov. It entails learning through the relationship between two stimuli.
The classical conditioning process involves banding a previously neutral stimulus, like the sound of a bell, with an unconditioned stimulus, like the taste of food. The unconditioned stimulus naturally and voluntarily triggers salivating as a reaction to the food, known as the unconditioned reaction.
After the neutral and the unconditioned stimulus are associated together, the sound of the bell alone will begin to stimulate salivation as a response.
The sound of the bell is now the conditioned stimulus and salivating in reaction to the bell now becomes a conditioned reaction.
See an example below
Naturally, a dog does not need to be trained to salivate if it sees food. Take note that food is a naturally occurring stimulus.
When the ringing of the bell is followed by the presentation of food to the dog, an association is formed between the food and the bell. Hence, the bell alone would elicit a salivation reaction.
It transcends a fundamental term used to describe a method of learning. It explains how many behaviors affect health.
Operant Conditioning
This is also known as instrumental conditioning. It is geared towards using either reinforcement or retribution to improve or lessen a behavior.
This process forms an association between the behavior and the consequences of the behavior.
Take, for instance, a school teacher who punishes a student for talking when it is not appropriate by preventing the student from going outside for recess.
This makes the student form a relationship between the behavior (talking when it is not appropriate) and the consequence (not being able to go outside for recess). This leads to a decrease in problematic behavior.
What is The Distinction Between Classical Conditioning And Operant Conditioning?
Here is an elaborate breakdown of their differences. Take a chill pill and enjoy.
1. Definition
What is the distinction between classical conditioning and Operant Conditioning? Classical Conditioning entails learning through associations between stimuli.
Operant Conditioning is a theory in behavioral psychology that entails learning through consequences of behavior.
2. Focus
Classical Conditioning focuses on responses that are reflexive and involuntary, while Operant Conditioning focuses on behavior that is goal-directed and voluntary.
4. Key Elements
What is the distinction between classical conditioning and Operant Conditioning? The key element in classical conditioning is unconditioned reaction and stimulus, while the key element in Operant conditioning is reinforcement and retribution to change behavior.
5. Behavioral Change
Classical conditioning underlines the role of the environment in learning, while Operant Conditioning underlines the role of consequences in shaping behavior.
6. Application
In terms of application, classical conditioning is mostly applied to emotional and physiological responses such as phobias and cravings, while operant Conditioning is applied to a wide range of behaviors and skills. It explains the reason humans learn new habits or behaviors.
7. Occurrence Of Stimulus
What is the distinction between classical conditioning and Operant Conditioning? In Classical conditioning, reactions take place before the stimulus, while in Operant Conditioning, responses take place after the stimulus.
Example
An example of classical conditioning is Pavlov’s dog experiment, while an example of Operant conditioning is Skinner’s Operant Chamber.
9. Incentive
In Classical conditioning, the learner is not rewarded with incentives, while in operant Conditioning, the learner is rewarded with incentives.
10. Methods Of Learning
In classical conditioning, the learner is passive, while in operant Conditioning, the learner has to actively participate and perform some kind of action to be rewarded or penalized.
11. Other distinction
What is the distinction between classical conditioning and Operant Conditioning? Classical conditioning involves the generalization of stimuli and discrimination, while Operant Conditioning involves the shaping and support of schedules.
Final Word
The two types of conditioning in behavioral psychology are classical conditioning and Operant conditioning. What is the distinction between classical conditioning and Operant Conditioning?
Classical conditioning is a type of conditioning that entails interaction between two stimuli. Operant conditioning is a type of conditioning that explains learning through the consequences of behavior.
What is the distinction between classical conditioning and Operant Conditioning?
Another distinction is that Classical Conditioning focuses on responses that are reflexive and involuntary While Operant Conditioning focuses on behavior that is goal-directed and voluntary.
None of these two types of conditioning is better than the other. Both conditionings have advantages, but their effectiveness depends on the particular situation and the objective one wants to achieve.
