Download What is Classical Conditioning?

What is Classical Conditioning?
Classical conditioning (also called respondent conditioning or classical learning or Pavlovian
conditioning) is the simplest form of learning. We learn only simple responses through this method.
Classically learned responses include learning likes, dislikes, fears and emotions. The things we learn
through classical conditioning are involuntary, internal responses. An example would be learning to fear
dogs because one bit you, or learning to like a song because it became associated with a good feeling
you had when you initially heard it.
How Does Classical Conditioning Work?
Classical conditioning results from two stimuli being paired together so that the attributes of one
become associated with the other in the learner's mind. For example, the sight of a steak can make us
salivate because the sight of a steak has previously been paired with the taste. Another example might
be that the sight of a boss can make us anxious because that boss has previously been paired with our
being reprimanded. Notice that anxiety, likes, dislikes, fears, etc. are all involuntary and internal
reactions we have. We cannot control them and they happen without our stopping to think. For
example, we become anxious or sick to our stomach at the sight of the boss, without even having a
chance to think something negative about the possible interaction ahead of us.
What is Operant Conditioning?
Operant conditioning is a more complex type of learning which is called operant because it is based on
the learner actively and voluntarily "operating" on his/her external environment. In operant
conditioning we learn from making new responses (by trial and error, by our response being shaped by a
"teacher" or the environment, or by watching others - called observational learning, modeling or
vicarious learning). These new responses lead to some consequence. If the consequence is enjoyable to
us we are reinforced. This means that we will probably repeat the response the next time that we are in
the same or a similar situation. However, if we dislike the consequence we received, we are less likely to
make that response the next time we are in the same or a similar situation. This is called punishment. It
is the opposite of reinforcement.
What is Learned from Operant Conditioning?
The types of responses we learn through operant conditioning range from very simple actions such as
smiling to get our mother's attention, to very complex actions, such as driving a car to get us where we
want to go. Notice that these types of responses are external, voluntary and goal oriented. This is the
main distinction between classical and operant conditioning.
What is Cognitive Learning or Observational Learning?
When behaviors are learned from watching others - from seeing them get reinforced or punished for
their behavior, or even seeing them fear something - we call this observational learning. When
behaviors are learned but not demonstrated, we call this latent learning. Latent learning refers to
something that we know how to do but are not motivated to do it, so we are not showing that we know
it.
What is Latent Learning?
Latent learning is often linked to cognitive learning. The very basic and traditional theory of operant
conditioning does not take into account: 1.) that we can learn from observing others (observational
learning) and 2.) that if we do not show our learning we may have learned it, nonetheless (latent
learning). Latent learning refers to things we learned but are not demonstrating. Once we are motivated
to do so, we may show that we did, in fact, learn something from an experience.