Question

Describe the role of biological and cognitive processes in both operant and classical conditioning.

Answer 1

Operant conditioning was proposed by B. F. Skinner. According to this theory of learning, a behaviour is repeated if it has pleasant consequences which gives positive reinforcement and a behaviour is not repeated if it has unpleasant consequences through negative reinforcement and punismnent. Positive and negative reinforcement helps to strengthen a behaviour and punishment helps to weaken a behaviour. Punishment results in stop of undesired behavior because of fear of punishment. Behaviour modification is through token economy and shaping. Biological process includes pressing of the lever by the rat which results in  receiving food pellet (positive reinforcement ) or an electric current that causes discomfort (negative reinforcement). Cognitive processes include learning acquired by rat through continuous efforts that by pressing the lever, it could get food or by pressing the lever when light is on so as to avoid electric current from passing over it.

Classical conditioning is proposed by Ivan Pavlov. According to this theory, a invoulntary response is paired with an unconditioned stimulus and neutral stimulus. Biological process included salivation of the dog by hearing noise of the bell when the bell was conditioned with the food. Cognitive process included was the learning of the dog that when a bell rings, there is a possibility of getting food even there is no food kept in front.