Behaviorism was developed to study observable behavior. Since behaviorism describes the learning process it is also known as the learning theory. Behaviorists indicate that learning and development progress over time, and that the process is due to natural guidelines that control responses and actions. The two types of conditioning are classical and operant. Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner are both research theorists that discovered these two theories. These two types of theories are different in many ways, but are also extremely similar.
Classical conditioning was discovered by a Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov. Classical conditioning involves placing an impartial stimulus before a reflex. Operant conditioning was first recorded by American psychologist B.F. Skinner. The theory of operant conditioning emphases on the positive or negative reinforcement after a behavior is performed. Focusing on whether the behavior is involuntary or voluntary highlights one …show more content…
For example, the rat had to actively press the lever to be rewarded with food. However, in classical conditioning the learner can be passive, and still experience a change in behavior. An example of a learner being passive is Ivan Pavlov’s experiment with dogs. During this experiment a new stimulus begins to produce behavior that was once created by an old stimulus, without the dogs having to do anything to receive food. Although classical conditioning and operant conditioning are particularly different, these two theories are also similar in many ways. These theories stem from behaviorism, which is to study observable behavior. Both of these psychological processes influence changes in behavior, including actions, emotions, and thoughts. They are both a part of associative learning, and are utilized by psychologists, teachers, animal trainers, and many others for a variety of
Classical conditioning was discovered by a Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov. Classical conditioning involves placing an impartial stimulus before a reflex. Operant conditioning was first recorded by American psychologist B.F. Skinner. The theory of operant conditioning emphases on the positive or negative reinforcement after a behavior is performed. Focusing on whether the behavior is involuntary or voluntary highlights one …show more content…
For example, the rat had to actively press the lever to be rewarded with food. However, in classical conditioning the learner can be passive, and still experience a change in behavior. An example of a learner being passive is Ivan Pavlov’s experiment with dogs. During this experiment a new stimulus begins to produce behavior that was once created by an old stimulus, without the dogs having to do anything to receive food. Although classical conditioning and operant conditioning are particularly different, these two theories are also similar in many ways. These theories stem from behaviorism, which is to study observable behavior. Both of these psychological processes influence changes in behavior, including actions, emotions, and thoughts. They are both a part of associative learning, and are utilized by psychologists, teachers, animal trainers, and many others for a variety of