Question

Compare and contrast the main principles of classical conditioning and operant conditioning. How is the Behaviorist Approach unique compared to other perspectives?

Answer 1

• Classical and operant conditioning share many of the same basic principles and procedures. The basic principles of acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, and stimulus generalization are common to both types of learning. In both these conditionings, extinction of behaviours might occur. This means that conditioned responses diminish in both of them when conditioning factors are withdrawn. The same behaviours will also recover spontaneously when conditioning is reapplied.
• The priniciple of stimulus generalization is applied to both of them. It is the reaction of the subject to other stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus,for example,developing fear of dogs after being bit by one.
• Apart from certain similarities,there are some differences as well. Classical conditioning relies on causal relationship between stimulus and responses,whereas operant conditioning focuses on reinforcement of behaviour.
• Operant conditioning is based on voluntary behavior, while classical conditioning often involves involuntary reflexive behavior.
• Classical conditioning occurs when two different stimuli are associated.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.Operant conditioning involves changing voluntary behaviors. A behavior change is followed by either reinforcement or punishment. Reinforcement following a behavior will cause the behavior to increase, but if behavior is followed by punishment the behavior will decrease.
• Behaviorism is different from other perspectives because they view people (and animals as controlled by their environent and specifically that we are the result of what we have learned from our environment. Behaviorism is concerned with how environmental factors called stimuli affect observable behavior called the response.
• Behaviourism is also unique as it focuses on observable behaviour that can be objectively measured.
• It focuses on studying direct experiences leading to behavioural change in people.
• Since it studies observable behaviour, therefore any behaviour which is unacceptable can be unlearned as well.