Classical condition concerns the conditioning of reflexive
behavior. Several terms are helpful in understanding this form of conditioning.
Classical conditioning occurs when an unconditioned stimulus, (US) that elicits a
unconditioned response (UR), is paired with a neutral stimulus, until presentation of
the neutral stimulus alone elicits the former UR. . For example, dog food(US) elicits
salivation from dogs(UR). However, if a neutral stimulus is paired with the
unconditioned stimulus an organism will respond to the neutral stimulus as it would to
the US. For example, a bell is dinged (NS) every time a dog is given dog food (US).
After a while, the dog will associate the ding with the food and thus becomes a
conditioned stimulus (CS), that elicits a conditioned response (CR), namely
salivation.
Operant conditioning, on the other hand
concerns the modification of volitional, or voluntary, behaviors. Operant conditioning
is conducted through reinforcement, punishment, and extinction. Reinforcement is the
presentation of a pleasurable stimulus after a behavior, which in turn increases the
likelihood that the behavior will occur (give a dog a treat for sitting). Punishment
decreases the likelihood that a behavior will occur (a dog is shocked for crossing a
line). Extinction occurs when a behavior is not rewarded, and therefore no longer
functional (if a dog does not receive food for whining, he will eventually quit
whining).
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