Question

Define and explain the three theories of learning that were discussed (classical conditioning, operant condoning, and social learning). Then, give at least one example for each theory from your life ?

Answer 1

Operant Conditioning – Operant condition defines a method of learning with the help of rewards and punishments. This theory was given B.F. Skinner. In this learning a person makes a connection bwteen any particular behavior and its consequence i.e. reward or punishment. His theory is based on the one of the principles of Thorndike which is law of effect; behavior follows a pleasant consequence is likely to repeat than behavior followed by the unpleasant consequence.

For example- When I was in college, I tried smoking but I got caught by my parents and I got punished so I quit smoking then.

Classical conditioning- It is also known as Pavlovian conditioning because it was given by Ivan Pavlov. However, John Watson explained the process based on the experiment of Pavlov. It is a form of learning where a conditioned stimulus is associated with an unconditioned stimulus to get the conditioned response. He explained the experiment with the help of the dog’s experiment-

Before conditioning – Food (Unconditioned Stimulus) leads to salivation (unconditioned response)

During conditioning – Bell + Food leads to salivation (Unconditioned response)

After conditioning – Bell (conditioned stimulus) leads to salivation (conditioned response)

Example- During my school time, once I got failed in history subject and teacher insulted me in front of the whole class, from which I developed a fear of history subject throughout my life.

Social learning theory- The social learning theory was given by Albert Bandura. He agreed to the other learning theories of classical and operant conditioning. Further he added that there exists a mediation process between the stimulus and response. He focused on the fact that learning takes place through observation. He conducted the bobo doll experiment in a child learns a violent behavior with doll from an adult. He stated four process of observational learning;

1. Attention - This is the first stage of the learning where any behavior gets the attention of a person.

2. Retention – This is the second stage where the behavior which got attention is being retained in the mind.

3. Reproduction – This is third stage, where the behavior is executed which was retained.

4. Motivation – This is the last stage which decides the future of the behavior. Here, the desirable, acceptable behavior gets motivated through rewards and if the behavior is unaccepted, then it is followed by a punished which stops the action which is being done.

Example- Due to the sudden demise of my grandmother, my mother got in mental trauma, she used to harm herself, break thing whenever she felt pissed off. I was young, I learned this behavior, and I was neither awarded nor punished for my actions so still sometimes I break things.