Learning Final Integrative Paper Aisha Khawaja 12

Khawaja 1 Running head: DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN CLASSICAL AND OPERANT CONDITIONING Distinctions between classical and operant conditioning Aisha Khawaja New Jersey City University Khawaja 2 Running head: DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN CLASSICAL AND OPERANT CONDITIONING Abstract There are many differences between classical and operant conditioning that will be discussed in this paper. These two types of conditioning are often misinterpreted by many individuals; therefore, it is important to distinguish the two. Learning the different ways animals function and the new behaviors they adapt to are of interest to both Ivan Pavlov and Edward Thorndike. .Sex differences are measured and taken in consideration in both kinds of conditioning processes.†¦show more content†¦For instance, a toddler who burns his hand on a cooking stove will be less likely to come near it next time, remembering how he got burnt from it. Another form of punishment is when a behavior ends on a desirable event. An example of this is when a boy pulls his sister’s hair and is given a time out, which has lost his privilege to watch TV. The boy has learnt a lesson because he won’t dare to even touch his sister’s hair remembering he had lost his privilege to watch TV. Classical conditioning deals with involuntary responses, primarily involving emotions, whereas, operant conditioning deals with voluntary responses that are active behaviors operating within the environment. Compared to operant conditioning, classical conditioning is more passive because in operant conditioning, learners are either getting rewarded for something or punished for something, which keeps the process active. Organisms experience a consequence despite of the fact they have learned the conditioned response. On the other hand, in operant conditioning, the consequence is dependent on the likelihood of the organism reacting to the response. Khawaja 5 Running head: DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN CLASSICAL AND OPERANT CONDITIONING How do you determine the type of conditioning, whether it is classical or operant? Focusing on the outcome or consequence is the key to determining between the two because if the outcome occurs regardless of a response to be shown, then the paradigm is