Conditioning is a form of learning based on the assumption that all human behavior is learned from cues in the environment. There are two types of conditioning - classical and operant conditioning. Central to classical conditioning is the theory of stimulus and response, which explains that when a natural stimulus is paired with a conditioned stimulus, overtime the conditioned stimulus will create the same outcome as the natural stimulus, even when the natural stimulus is no longer paired with it. For example, a dog salivating at food is a natural response to a natural, unconditioned stimulus. When we continually pair food with the sound of a bell, the dog associates the sound of a bell with salivating, and after many trials, the dog learns to salivate at just the sound of the bell.
Operant conditioning, on the other hand, involves the use of reinforcement and rewards. In operant conditioning, voluntary behavior becomes more frequent if it is rewarded or reinforced. Operant conditioning is especially useful in behavioral therapies such as aversion therapy, whereby a patient learns to associate bad habits or behaviors with unpleasant consequences.
Links to References:
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Operant conditioning, on the other hand, involves the use of reinforcement and rewards. In operant conditioning, voluntary behavior becomes more frequent if it is rewarded or reinforced. Operant conditioning is especially useful in behavioral therapies such as aversion therapy, whereby a patient learns to associate bad habits or behaviors with unpleasant consequences.
Links to References:
- http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/131552/conditioning
- http://allpsych.com/psychology101/conditioning.html
- http://www.alleydog.com/101notes/conditioning.html#.URCd7qVEEro
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