Operant and Classical Conditioning

Question 1

What form of psychology includes the studies of operant and classical conditioning?

Answer 1

Behavioral

Question 2

Classical conditioning
(name theorist and define)

Answer 2

Ivan Pavlov
The theory of classical conditioning proposes that a neutral stimulus (such as the bell ringing) can become a conditioned stimulus and evoke a conditioned response (such as salivation in the case of Pavlov’s dogs)
Before conditioning, a neutral stimulus causes no response. On the other hand, an unconditioned stimulus naturally elicits an unconditioned response . During the conditioning, a neutral stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus. After conditioning, the neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus and elicits a conditioned response

Question 3

Process of Classical Conditioning

Answer 3

Before conditioning: The neutral stimulus (bell ringing) produces no response. The unconditioned stimulus (food) produces the unconditioned response (salivation).

During conditioning: The neutral stimulus (bell ringing) is presented right before the unconditioned stimulus (food) and an unconditioned response (salivation) follows.

After conditioning: The conditioned stimulus (bell ringing) produces the conditioned response (salivation).

Question 4

Operant Conditioning
(name theorist and define)

Answer 4

B.F. Skinner
sometimes called instrumental learning, suggests that consequences play a major role in the shaping of future behaviors. These consequences can either increase or decrease a particular behavior, depending on whether the result of the behavior is pleasant or unpleasant

Question 5

Process of Operant Conditioning

Answer 5

Reinforcements serve to strengthen a behavior and can do this either by adding something pleasant or removing something unpleasant. On the other hand, punishments weaken a behavior by adding something unpleasant or removing something pleasant.

Question 6

Positive Reinforcement

Answer 6

Add something desirable to increase the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

Question 7

Negative Reinforcement

Answer 7

Remove something undesirable to increase the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

Question 8

Positive Punishment

Answer 8

Add something undesirable to decrease the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

Question 9

Negative Punishment

Answer 9

Remove something desirable to decrease the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.

Question 10

Explain the difference between operant and classical conditioning

Answer 10

Classical conditioning establishes associations between stimuli and responses, whereas operant conditioning shapes behavior through the association of behaviors and their consequences.

Classical conditioning involves involuntary responses, but operant conditioning involves voluntary behaviors.

Classical conditioning focuses more on what happens before a response, while the focus of operant conditioning is what follows a behavior.

Question 11

Acquisition

Answer 11

the period of learning during which a new association is developed or a behavior strengthened.

Question 12

Extinction

Answer 12

refers to when a learned association is lost so that a conditioned response (classical conditioning) or a learned behavior (operant conditioning) stops occurring. This can happen when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus for an extended time and the association is weakened.

Question 13

Extinction burst

Answer 13

is something that happens right before a behavior ceases. This is when the reinforcement for a behavior stops and then for a short time the behavior increases. This can be seen in a child who is used to being given what they want when they yell and scream. If the parent stops reinforcing this behavior, the yelling may increase more dramatically for a period of time before it stops

Question 14

Spontaneous Recovery

Answer 14

the sudden recurrence of a previously learned behavior (operant conditioning) or conditioned response (classical conditioning) after extinction has happened.

Question 15

Stimulus Generalization

Answer 15

occurs when a similar stimulus is mistaken for a conditioned stimulus and produces the same response. For example, in the case of Pavlov’s dogs, perhaps instead of the bell rung when their food was coming they might hear the doorbell. They mistake this bell for their food bell and begin salivating in response to

Question 16

Stimulus Discrimination

Answer 16

when the conditioned stimulus can be distinguished from other similar stimuli and only the specific conditioned stimulus elicits the conditioned response. For someone who has been bitten by a dog, they are able to distinguish between that one dog and other dogs, showing a fear response only to the dog that bit them.