CLASSICAL VS OPERANT CONDITIONING

Summary

This video explains the difference between classical and operant conditioning, two key learning theories in psychology. Classical conditioning, discovered by Ivan Pavlov, involves associating a neutral stimulus with an involuntary response, as demonstrated by Pavlov's dogs salivating to a bell. Operant conditioning, developed by B.F. Skinner, involves linking voluntary behavior with consequences such as reinforcers and punishers. Skinner's experiments with rats showcase positive and negative reinforcement and punishment. The video also covers how different reinforcement schedules affect the learning and extinction rates of behaviors, highlighting the complexities of learning through conditioning.

Takeaways

• 📚 Learning is defined as a long-lasting change in behavior due to experience.
• 🐶 Classical conditioning, described by Ivan Pavlov, is the association of a stimulus with an involuntary response.
• 🔔 Pavlov's experiment showed that dogs could learn to associate a bell (neutral stimulus) with food, resulting in salivation (conditioned response).
• ⚖️ Operant conditioning, introduced by B.F. Skinner, involves associating voluntary behavior with consequences like reinforcement or punishment.
• 🍫 Reinforcers (positive or negative) increase the likelihood of a behavior reoccurring, while punishers reduce or suppress it.
• 🐁 Skinner demonstrated positive reinforcement using a rat pressing a lever to receive food, reinforcing the behavior.
• ⚡ Negative reinforcement was shown by the rat learning to turn off or avoid an electric current, reinforcing the escape behavior.
• 🚫 Punishment weakens behavior by associating it with aversive outcomes, though punished behaviors may resurface once the punishment is removed.
• 🎰 Different reinforcement schedules (continuous, fixed ratio, variable ratio, etc.) affect how quickly behaviors are learned and extinguished.
• 💡 Variable ratio and variable interval reinforcement schedules result in faster response rates and slower extinction, similar to gambling behaviors.

Q & A

What is learning according to psychologists?

Learning is defined as a long-lasting change in behavior as a result of experience.

Who first described classical conditioning and what is it?

Classical conditioning was first described by Ivan Pavlov and it is the association of a stimulus with an involuntary response.

What is an example of an unconditioned response in Pavlov's experiment?

In Pavlov's experiment, dogs salivating in response to seeing or smelling food is an example of an unconditioned response.

What did Pavlov discover about neutral stimuli in relation to reflexes?

Pavlov discovered that a neutral stimulus presented before a reflex causes an association, leading to classical conditioning.

What is the difference between a conditioned stimulus and a conditioned response?

A conditioned stimulus is a stimulus that, after association, triggers a response, while a conditioned response is the learned reaction to that stimulus.

Who first described operant conditioning and what does it involve?

Operant conditioning was first described by B.F. Skinner and involves the association of a voluntary behavior with its consequence.

What are the three types of environmental responses or operands that can follow a behavior according to Skinner?

The three types of environmental responses are reinforcers, punishers, and neutral operants.

How does positive reinforcement work in operant conditioning?

Positive reinforcement increases the probability of a behavior recurring by providing a reward after the behavior occurs.

What is the difference between escape learning and avoidance learning in operant conditioning?

Escape learning occurs when an organism learns to remove an unpleasant stimulus, while avoidance learning is when it learns to prevent an unpleasant stimulus from occurring.

How does punishment affect behavior in operant conditioning?

Punishment weakens a behavior by linking it to an aversive consequence, either through the addition or removal of a stimulus.

What happens to a learned behavior in operant conditioning if the reinforcement is no longer provided?

If reinforcement is no longer provided, the behavior will eventually be extinguished, meaning the organism will stop performing the behavior.

What are the different reinforcement schedules that can affect the response and extinction rates?

The different reinforcement schedules include continuous, fixed ratio, fixed interval, variable ratio, and variable interval.