Compare Classical Conditioning theory versus Operant Conditioning theory

Classical Conditioning Theory:

Classical conditioning is one of the simplest forms of learning, yet it has a powerful effect on our attitudes, likes and dislikes, and emotional responses. We have all learned to respond in specific ways to a variety of words and symbols. Our lives are profoundly influenced by associations we learn through classical conditioning. Ivan Pavlov’s research on the conditioned reflex in dogs revealed much of what we know about the principles of classical conditioning.

Classical conditioning of Pavlov: Ivan Pavlov (1949 – 1936) organized and directed research in physiology at the institute of experimental medicine in St. Petersburg, Russia from 1891 until his death in 1936. His book “Conditioned Reflexes” is one of the classic works in psychology.

Classical conditioning is modifying behavior so that a conditions stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus and elicits an unconditioned behavior. Ivan Pavlov, a Russian psychologist developed classical conditioning theory based on his experiments to teach a dog to salivate in response to the ringing of a bell. When Pavlov presented meat to the dog, he noticed a great deal of salivation. But, when merely bell was rung, no salivation was noticed in the dog. What Pavlov did next was to link the meat and the ringing of the bell. He did this several times. Afterwards, he merely rang the bell without presenting the meat. Now, the dog began to salivate as soon as the bell rang. After a while, the dog would salivate merely at the sound of the bell, even if no meat were presented. In effect, the dog had learned to respond, i.e., to salivate at the sound of bell, since it was conditioned to link the sound of the bell with the offering of meat.

Classical conditioning introduces a simple cause-and-effect relationship between one stimulus and response. It also makes the response reflective or involuntary after the stimulus-response relationship has been established. This leaves no ground for making choices, which factor differentiates human beings from dogs. Under certain situations, classical conditioning does explain human behaviour. For examples, if a student is always reprimanded by his principles office, he may become nervous whenever asked to come to the principal’s office because of this association.

Operant Conditioning theory:

Operant Conditioning theory argues that Behaviour is a function of its consequences. People learn to behave to get something they want or avoid something they don’t want. Operant behaviors mean voluntary or learned behaviour in contrast to reflexive or unlearned behaviour. The tendency to repeat such behaviour is influenced by the reinforcement or lack of reinforcement brought about by the consequences of the behaviour. Reinforcement therefore strengthens behaviour and increases the likelihood that it will be repeated.

What Pavlov did for classical conditioning, the Harvard psychologist B. F. Skinner did for operant conditioning.

Operant conditioning induces a voluntary change in behavior and learning occurs as a “Consequence” of such change. It is also known as reinforcement theory and it suggests that behaviour is a function of its consequences. It is b based upon the premise that behaviour of job performance is not a function of inner thought, feeling, emotions or perceptions but is keyed to the nature of the outcome of such behaviour. The consequences of a given behaviour would determine whether the same behaviour is likely to occur in future or not. Based upon this direct relationship between the consequences and behaviour the management can study and identify this relationship and try to modify and control behaviour. Thus, the behaviour can be controlled by manipulating its consequences. This relationship is built around two principles;

• The behaviour that results in positive rewards tends to be repeated and behaviour with negative consequences tends not to be repeated.
• Based upon such consequences, the behaviour can be predicted and controlled.