The main difference between classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning is that classical conditioning involves involuntary behavior while instrumental conditioning involves voluntary behavior.
Both classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning are two types of associative learning processes that involve learning the relationship between two stimuli . Classical conditioning is a learning process that takes place by linking two stimuli to generate a new learned response in an individual, while instrumental conditioning is a learning process that takes place by linking behavior and a consequence for that behavior.
Key areas covered
1. What is classical conditioning - definition, characteristics, phases 2. What is instrumental conditioning - definition, characteristics, categorization 3. Difference between classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning - comparison of the main differences
key terms
Classical conditioning, instrumental conditioning, operant conditioning, reinforcement, punishment
What is classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning is a learning process in which two stimuli are linked together in order to generate a new learned response in an individual. Classical conditioning was discovered by a Russian physiologist named Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov's experiment with dogs is the best-known example of classical conditioning. In this experiment, Pavlov demonstrated that the dog learned to associate the sound of the bell with food when a bell was rung every time the dog was given food.
There are three basic phases of classical conditioning.
Before conditioning
Phase 1, ie before conditioning, contains an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) that elicits an unconditioned response (UCR) in an organism. In other words, it is a natural stimulus that automatically evokes a response. In Pavlov's experiment, the dog's salivation in response to the food was the natural stimulus. Here the offering of food is the unconditional stimulus and salivation is the unconditional response. Then we also introduce a neutral stimulus that has no effect.
During conditioning
During phase 2 of classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with the unconditioned stimulus. This creates an association between the previously neutral stimulus and the unconditional stimulus. At this point we call the neutral stimulus the conditioned stimulus. The subject is now conditioned to respond to this stimulus. In Pavlov's dog experiment, the sound of the bell is the neutral stimulus, which later becomes the conditioned stimulus.
After conditioning
As soon as we establish a connection between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditional stimulus, a new conditioned response is also created. For example, if a dog associates the sound of a bell with the presentation of food, the sound of a bell alone will produce a conditioned response (salivation) in the dog.
What is instrumental conditioning?
Instrumental conditioning or operant conditioning is a learning process that takes place by linking a behavior with a consequence for that behavior. These consequences include rewards and penalties. BF Skinner is the father of instrumental conditioning. He investigated this conditioning by performing experiments on animals placed in a " Skinner Box ". For example, imagine a rat in a cage that contains two buttons. If the rat presses the green button, it will be rewarded with a food pellet, but if it presses the red button it will be lightly electrocuted. Consequently, the rat in this box will always try to press the green button and avoid the red button.
The two main concepts of instrumental conditioning are reinforcement and punishment . Reinforcement is any action that reinforces or reinforces subsequent behavior. Positive reinforcements are the positive outcomes that follow a certain behavior, such as praise or reward. Negative reinforcements involve the removal of an adverse outcome after a certain behavior, such as failure to pay a fine. Both types of reinforcement involve reinforcement of behavior. Punishment, on the other hand, is any act that weakens or eliminates behavior rather than reinforcing it. Positive punishment involves applying an unpleasant event to behavior; for example spanking due to misconduct. Negative punishment, on the other hand, is punishment by removal and involves taking away something beneficial; for example, to take a privilege. We can further divide negative reinforcement into escape conditioning and avoidance conditioning .
Difference between classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning
definition
Classical conditioning is a learning process in which two stimuli are linked together in order to generate a new learned response in an individual. Instrumental conditioning is a learning process that takes place by linking a behavior with a consequence for that behavior.
Voluntary vs. involuntary
While classical conditioning includes involuntary behavior (reflex action), instrumental conditioning includes voluntary behavior.
nature
In classical conditioning, a signal is given before the reflex, but in instrumental conditioning, reinforcement or punishment is given after the behavior.
procedure
In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus through association with an unconditional stimulus and triggers a conditioned response. In instrumental conditioning, the likelihood of a particular behavior is changed by subsequent consequences.
diploma
Classical conditioning is a learning process in which two stimuli are linked together in order to generate a new learned response in an individual. Instrumental conditioning is a learning process that takes place by linking behavior and a consequence for that behavior. The main difference between classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning is that classical conditioning involves involuntary behavior while instrumental conditioning involves voluntary behavior.
Reference:
1. Mkleod, Saul. “ Classical conditioning .” Simply psychology. 2. Cherry, Kendra. “ How instrumental conditioning works according to psychology .” Very well.
Image courtesy:
1. " Pavlov's dog conditioning" By Maxxl² - Own work - vectorized Pavlov dog conditioning (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia2. “Operant Conditioning Diagram rev ” By Box73 (rebuilt and converted to svg) and Curtis Neveu (source) - This file is a replica of an operant conditioning diagram (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
