Psychology, classical conditioning and operant conditioning - Research Paper Example

The neutral stimulus (the ringing bell) is unconnected to either the unconditioned stimulus (meat) or the unconditioned response (salivation). Initially, the neutral stimulus (ringing bell) tends to produce no response of any kind at all from the subject (dog). When the neutral stimulus (ringing bell) is paired with the unconditioned stimulus (meat) to obtain the unconditioned response (salivation), continual exposure acculturates the subject to exhibit the unconditioned response (salivation) to the neutral stimulus (ringing bell) alone.

In such cases, the neutral stimulus (ringing bell) is labeled as the conditioned stimulus that tends to produce the conditioned response (salivation). Continuous exposure to the conditioned stimulus (ringing bell) and the unconditioned stimulus (meat) is required to solicit the conditioned response (salivation) or the subject enters a state of extinction where the association tends to weaken. In contrast to classical conditioning, operant conditioning operates by encouraging certain patterns of behavior through the use of reinforcement or punishment. B. F.

Skinner’s experiments with rats using his famous “Skinner’s Box” provided for the early development of operant conditioning (Feldman). . In case that some behavior is encouraged, it is reinforced in the individual through the use of favorable consequences. Alternatively, if some behavior is discouraged in an individual, the individual is punished through the use of unfavorable consequences. Skinner used rats, pigeons and primates enclosed in cages with response levers, food dispensers as well as lights and loudspeakers.

If the subject pressed the right response lever, this behavior was reinforced by providing them with food pellets through the food dispenser. In contrast, if the subject pressed the wrong response lever, this behavior was discouraged using loudspeakers and lights that provided for averse stimuli (Domjan). Operant Conditioning Concepts Operant conditioning relies in large part on reinforcement and punishment to encourage or discourage certain patterns of behavior respectively. In case that a stimulus is provided to the subject through their environment following some behavior, it is considered positive.

In contrast, if a stimulus is removed from the subject’s environment following a behavior, it is considered negative (Carlson, Neil and Donald). Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement refers to the encouragement of certain patterns of behavior in an individual by providing them with some kind of a favorable stimulus following the behavior. Negative Reinforcement Negative reinforcement refers to the encouragement of certain patterns of behavior in an individual by removing some kind of unfavorable stimulus following the behavior.

Punishment The discouragement of certain behavior in an individual is known as punishment. This can be achieved by providing an unfavorable stimulus or by removing a favorable stimulus following the behavior. Operant Conditioning in Real Life Operant