6. Classical Conditioning vs. Operant Conditioning: Differences and Examples

Stimulus generalization

A term that refers to showing a conditioned response to a stimulus that differs from, but is similar to, the conditioned stimulus. In other words, the conditioned response is transferred to a new stimulus when this phenomenon occurs.

Operant conditioning involves

Changing voluntary behaviors. A behavior response is followed by either reinforcement or punishment. Reinforcement following a behavior will cause the behavior to increase, but if the behavior is followed by punishment the behavior will decrease.

Ivan Pavlov

He studied what is called classical conditioning AKA respondent conditioning. In classical conditioning, learning refers to involuntary responses that result from experiences that occur before a response.

Lesson Summary

In review, let's compare Pavlov's classical conditioning and Skinner's operant conditioning alongside each other. Both classical conditioning and operant conditioning are processes that lead to learning. Classical conditioning pairs two stimuli, while operant conditioning pairs behavior and response. The learning occurs before the response in classical conditioning and after the response in operant conditioning. You learn by association in classical conditioning and by reinforcement or punishment in operant conditioning. Also, classical conditioning always works with involuntary responses, while operant conditioning works with voluntary behaviors. Extinction, an extinction burst, spontaneous recovery, and stimulus generalization are different phenomena that can occur.

Negative reinforcement

It involves the removal of a negative consequence to increase the likelihood of a response.

Extinction burst

Refers to an initial increase in a conditioned response when reinforcement is stopped. In other words, the behavior response will increase before you see the process of extinction begin to weaken the conditioned response.

Positive reinforcement

Refers to the addition of something positive.

Spontaneous recovery

Refers to the unexpected recurrence of a conditioned response after it has shown extinction. Spontaneous recovery is usually short-lived and a weakened version of the conditioned response.

Punishers

Responses from the environment that decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Punishment weakens behavior.

Reinforcers

Responses from the environment that increase the probability of a behavior being repeated. Reinforcers can be either positive or negative.

Burrhus Frederic (B.F.) Skinner (1904 - 1990)

Skinner is regarded as the father of Operant Conditioning, but his work was based on Thorndike's (1905) law of effect. OC, a.k.a. instrumental conditioning. In operant conditioning, learning refers to changes in behavior as a result of experiences that occur after a response. Skinner believed in the existence of the mind but he specified that in order for psychology to be a real science, it cannot study anything that's not directly observable.

Positive punishment

The addition of something undesirable.

Negative punishment

The removal of something pleasing.

Classical conditioning occurs when

You learn to associate two different stimuli. No behavior is involved. The first stimulus that you will encounter is called the unconditioned stimulus. An unconditioned stimulus produces a response without any previous learning. This response is called an unconditioned response.

Extinction

a term that refers to the disappearance of a conditioned response. The response weakens and eventually disappears due to removal of the reinforcement or punishment in operant conditioning or the removal of the paired stimulus in classical conditioning.

Operants

intentional actions that have an effect on the surrounding environment.

Neutral operants

responses from the environment that neither increase nor decrease the probability of a behavior being repeated.