Classical Conditioning versus Operant Conditioning - Essay Example

He was surprised by the peculiar reflex of salivation even without apparent stimulation and decided to focus on this strange phenomenon. He later discovered that he could control and manipulate the process. This process was referred to as conditioning because it defined the conditions that stimulated the reflexes.

Classical conditioning involves testing a stimulus to ensure that it is neutral in that it does not elicit salivation. The neutral stimulus is then presented along with a stimulus that is known to elicit salivation. After several tests, the previously neutral stimulus loses its neutrality as it now elicits salivation on its own. on associating the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus, Pavlov discovered that the sound of the bell alone would evoke salivation as a response (Kim et al., 1996). In the case of Dr. Pavlov, the sound of the bell represents the conditioned stimulus while salivating in response to the bell is considered to be the conditioned response.

The term operant conditioning was coined by Dr. B.F Skinner in 1937 who believed that an individual's deeds are customized by their consequences. The behavior may alter in form, occurrence, or power. Operant conditioning focuses on using either punishment or reinforcement to increase or decrease behavior. Consequently, a link is recognized between the deeds and the consequences of that behavior.

2. A brief synopsis surrounding the positive and negative attributes of both modalities
Operant conditioning
It shows that good behavior in a child is rewarded and thus encourages the good trend to continue but without the reward or positive reinforcement then the child would not be encouraged. In school when a student misbehaves then punishment is given like giving extra homework or taking away a privilege. At work, if a staff does not work as required then he is not rewarded when others are which will serve to make them work harder in the future but at the same time, It seems to strictly deal with distinct behavior either good or bad which may be hard to always keep following after the first times since one is supposed to get into the habit of doing good always even without the incentives.