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Classical Vs. Operant Conditioning

Brandon Acevedo

PSYC - 2301

Dr. Rachel Gallardo

February 21st , 2023

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Classical and operant conditioning are two of the most significant theories in psychology,

both developed by influential psychologists. Classical conditioning is a process by which an

individual learns to associate a neutral stimulus with a response, while operant conditioning is

the process of learning through consequences. In this essay, we will compare and contrast these

two types of learning and the psychologists who developed them as well as the pro and cons that

come with them.

Classical conditioning was first introduced by Ivan Pavlov who was a Russian

physiologist in the early 1900s. In Pavlov's studies, he observed the digestive system of dogs and

observed that they would salivate at the sight of food. However, he noticed that the dogs began

to salivate even before they were given food, and he discovered that they had learned to associate

a sound with the presentation of food. Pavlov called this response the "conditioned reflex" and

developed a theory of classical conditioning, which describes the process of learning by

association. Operant conditioning, on the other hand, was developed by B.F. Skinner, an

American psychologist, in the mid-1900s. Skinner studied the effects of consequences on

behavior, and he believed that behavior was shaped by the environment. He developed the

concept of reinforcement, which is the process of strengthening behavior through rewards or

punishments. While classical and operant conditioning were originally developed as

psychological theories, their practical applications have extended beyond the laboratory and into

many areas of clinical psychology.

In terms of application, operant conditioning has been used to explain addiction. For

example, a person who smokes may continue to smoke because they have learned that smoking

produces a pleasurable feeling. This behavior is reinforced through positive reinforcement.

Operant conditioning has also been used in behavior modification programs to change unwanted
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behaviors, such as smoking or overeating. In these programs, the individual's behavior is shaped

through the process called positive and negative reinforcement. Classical conditioning on the

other hand has been proven to explain phobias. For example, a person who has had a negative

experience with dogs may develop a phobia of dogs. In this case, the individual has learned to

associate dogs with fear and anxiety through classical conditioning. Classical conditioning has

also been used to treat anxiety as well as phobia disorders through exposure therapy. This

therapy involves gradually exposing the individual to the feared object or situation in a safe and

controlled environment until the fear response is extinguished. To better understand the practical

applications of classical and operant conditioning, it is important to examine the differences

between these two types of learning in psychology.

One of the primary differences between both classical and operant conditioning is the

type of learning that occurs. In classical conditioning, an individual learns to associate a neutral

stimulus with a response. For example, a dog may learn to compare the sound of a bell with the

presentation of food. In operant conditioning, an individual learns through consequences.

Behavior that tends to be reinforced is more expected to be repeated, while behavior that is

punished is less expected to be repeated. Another significant difference between classical and

operant conditioning is the role of the individual in the learning process. In classical

conditioning, the individual is passive and responds to stimuli in the environment. In operant

conditioning, the individual is active and learns through consequences. This means that in

classical conditioning, the learner is a passive observer of the environment, while in operant

conditioning, the learner actively engages with the environment. There are also similarities

between classical and operant conditioning. Both types of learning involve the acquisition of new

behaviors, and both are influenced by the environment. Both classical and operant conditioning
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can also be used to explain an extensive range of behaviors, from simple reflexes to complex

behaviors.

In conclusion, classical and operant conditioning can be considered the two fundamental

theories in psychology that have provided invaluable insights into how humans learn and

develop behaviors. Classical conditioning is based on the concept of learning through the

association between a neutral stimulus and a response. Operant conditioning is based on the

principle that behavior is shaped by its consequences. While both types of learning involve the

acquisition of new behaviors, there are key differences in the role of the individual and the type

of learning that occurs. Classical conditioning is more passive, whereas operant conditioning is

more active, and the individual learns through consequences. Overall, the contributions of

Pavlov and Skinner to psychology have been immense, and their theories continue to influence

research and practice in many fields today. By examining the differences and similarities

between classical and operant conditioning, we gain a better understanding of how we learn and

how we can modify our behaviors to achieve desired outcomes.

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References

Cherry, K. (2022, August 28). How classical conditioning works, with examples. Verywell Mind.

Retrieved February 2023, from https://www.verywellmind.com/classical-conditioning-

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Cherry, K. (2022, September 8). The difference between classical and operant conditioning.

Verywell Mind. Retrieved February 2023, from

https://www.verywellmind.com/classical-vs-operant-conditioning-2794861

Mcleod, S. (1970, January 1). [Skinner - operant conditioning]. Study Guides for Psychology

Students - Simply Psychology. Retrieved February 2023, from

https://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html

Similarities and differences between classical and operant conditioning. tutor2u. (2021, March

22). Retrieved February 2023, from

https://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/reference/similarities-and-differences-between-

classical-and-operant-conditioning