Week 7- Classical conditioning versus Operant conditioning

Classical and operant conditioning are the two types of associative learning. Though there are lot of similarities between them, there is clear differences that we must understand. In classical conditioning, there will be an unconditioned stimulus(US), Conditioned stimulus(CS) and conditioned response(CR). The CS when paired with the US, predicts the US arrival and produce CR. There are several factors which affects the strength of conditioning and also two or more stimulus can cause for response

sharing or blocking effect. Let's see an example, if a lab have only one RA position and the current place holder shows an amazing work ethic then there is no way a new person would get the position until they brings something new the current RA cannot do. Compare this situation with two stimulus, one already associated stimulus would block any new associations until the second stimulus have some new information to predict the US.

In the case of operant conditioning, there will be a discriminative stimulus (Sd) which determines what response (R) will be associated with the desired outcome (O). From this description, we can understand the major difference between both the conditioning. In classical conditioning, the outcome (US) will be present, no matter if the response(R) is executed or not but in operant conditioning, the outcome will only be reached if the desired response is executed. This outcome can be reinforcing or a punisher and depending on this we have 4 different types, they are; Positive reinforcer, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment. Positive reinforcement is where a reinforcement is added to the system for a desired R. If a child gets new toys for good behavior, it can be considered in positive reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is when a punisher is taken away for a desired R. For example, taking medicine can decrease pain. Next, the positive punishment where a punisher is added to weaken the undesired behavior and negative punishment where a reinforcer is taken away to weaken the undesired response (Gluck et al., 2008).

References

Gluck, M. A., Mercado, E., & Myers, C. E. (2008). Learning and memory: From brain to behavior. Worth Publishers.