Conditioned Stimulus

Classical conditioning was discovered by Ivan Pavlov (LeFrançois, 2018). The discovery
was made by accident when Ivan noted that some of his dogs began salivating when they were
any time, they were about to feed (LeFrançois, 2018). The observation was followed by a
number of experiments. The experiment that he conducted involved ringing a bell and
immediately feed the dogs. After repeating the procedure, he realized that the bell stimulated
salivation. In the experiment, the conditioned stimulus is the bell. The bell only leads to a
response after the dogs learn. On the other hand, the food is the unconditioned stimulus because
there is an automatic response that occurs without learning (LeFrançois, 2018). Salivation, in
response to food, is the unconditioned response. On the other hand, salvation in response to the
bell is the conditioned response. Classical conditioning is the action of the dog learning to
salivate due to a conditioned stimulus. Classical conditioning can thus be described as two
stimuli being combined and linked to produce a new learned response.
Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning is founded on the idea that a behavior can be enforced through
either rewards or punishment (LeFrançois, 2018). An individual makes the connection between a
certain behavior and its consequence. Operant conditioning is illustrated through an experiment.
A rat is placed in a Skinner box which allows the experimenter to measure the responses and to
punish or reward them.

Differences Between Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning
One main difference is the fact that classical conditioning is associated with involuntary
behavior (LeFrançois, 2018). On the other hand, operant conditioning relates a voluntary action

to a consequence. In operant conditioning, the response is emitted as opposed to being caused by
a stimulus. In addition, operant conditioning is caused by external factors outside an organism.
In comparison, classical conditioning is caused by factors within an organism (LeFrançois,
2018). Classical conditioning stems from an organism learning to associate two different stimuli.
In comparison, operant conditioning describes the changes in behavior due to consequences
associated with the behavior.

Examples of Classical and Operant Conditioning

One example of classical conditioning is fear. When I was young, I experienced bullying.
I learned to associate school with fear as a result of bullying. My English teacher also humiliated
me, and this made me dislike the English subject in high school. An example of operant
conditioning is as a child I continually worked hard because I was praised in the past. I also did
my homework on time when my mother insisted that she would no longer allow me to play with
my friends if I did not complete my homework on time. Another example is when I worked hard
due to a present that I received for performing well in the past.
Positive and Negative Reinforcement Strategies
Reinforcement is the use of a stimulus to increase the possibility of a response occurring.
A positive reinforcer increases the possibility of a response occurring. On the other hand, a
negative response increases the possibility of a response occurring if it is removed. Positive
reinforcement strategies include praising a person, and offering tokens and rewards. Negative
reinforcement strategies reducing the amount of homework given when learners actively listen in
class. The main difference between reinforcement and punishment stems from the effect on
behavior. Negative reinforcement aims at increasing a certain behavior; on the other hand, the

aim of punishment is to decrease a behavior. The example of working hard in my academics
because I was praised is an example of positive reinforcement. A positive reinforces seeks to
ensure that it increases the probability of a certain response. Evidently, when I was praised, I
would continue working hard, and this resulted in positive outcomes. My mother denying me the
opportunity to play with my friends is a negative reinforcement strategy because it would
increase the response of taking my homework seriously. The two affected how I studied and
motivated me to work hard to achieve my goals. A learner may easily be demotivated during the
learning process. It is important for the learner to draw motivation from the addition of a
desirable stimulus to the situation or the removal of an undesirable stimulus.

References

LeFrançois, G. R. (2018). Psychology for teaching (2nd ed.). Retrieved from
https://content.ashford.edu