Contrasting Classical and Operant Conditioning

• 28-2 How does operant conditioning differ from classical conditioning?

Flip It Video: Associative Learning Principles

Both classical and operant conditioning are forms of associative learning. Both involve acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, and discrimination. But these two forms of learning also differ. Through classical (Pavlovian) conditioning, we associate different stimuli we do not control, and we respond automatically (respondent behaviors) (Table 28.1). Through operant conditioning, we associate our own behaviors—which act on our environment to produce rewarding or punishing stimuli (operant behaviors)—with their consequences.

AP^® EXAM TIP

You may have to differentiate classical conditioning and operant conditioning on the AP® exam. Classical conditioning is involuntary (respondent) behavior, while operant conditioning is voluntary (operant) behavior.

TABLE 28.1 Comparison of Classical and Operant Conditioning

	Classical Conditioning	Operant Conditioning
Basic idea	Learning associations between events we do not control.	Learning associations between our behavior and its consequences.
Response	Involuntary, automatic.	Voluntary, operates on environment.
Acquisition	Associating events; NS is paired with US and becomes CS.	Associating a response with a consequence (reinforcer or punisher).
Extinction	CR decreases when CS is repeatedly presented alone.	Responding decreases when reinforcement stops.
Spontaneous recovery	The reappearance, after a rest period, of an extinguished CR.	The reappearance, after a rest period, of an extinguished response.
Generalization	The tendency to respond to stimuli similar to the CS.	Responses learned in one situation occurring in other, similar situations.
Discrimination	Learning to distinguish between a CS and other stimuli that do not signal a US.	Learning that some responses, but not others, will be reinforced.

As we shall see next, our biology and cognitive processes influence both classical and operant conditioning.

Check Your Understanding

Ask Yourself

• Can you recall a time when a teacher, coach, family member, or employer helped you learn something by shaping your behavior in little steps until you achieved your goal?

Test Yourself

• Salivating in response to a tone paired with food is a(n) _____________ behavior; pressing a bar to obtain food is a(n) ______________ behavior.

Answers to the Test Yourself questions can be found in Appendix E at the end of the book.