The main difference between classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning is that classical conditioning involves involuntary behaviour, whereas instrumental conditioning involves voluntary behaviour.
Both classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning are two types of associative learning processes, which involve learning about the relationship between two stimuli. Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs by linking two stimuli together to produce a new learned response in an individual, while instrumental conditioning is a learning process that occurs by linking behaviour and a consequence for that behaviour.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Classical Conditioning
– Definition, Features, Phases
2. What is Instrumental Conditioning
– Definition, Features, Categorization
3. Difference Between Classical Conditioning and Instrumental Conditioning
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Classical Conditioning, Instrumental Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, Reinforcement, Punishment
What is Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs by linking two stimuli together to produce a new learned response in an individual. Classical conditioned was discovered by a Russian physiologist known as Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov’s experiment with dogs is the most popular example of classical conditioning. In this experiment, Pavlov demonstrated that when a bell was rung each time the dog was given food, the dog learned to associate the sound of the bell with food.
There are three basic phases in classical conditioning.
Before Conditioning
Phase 1, i.e., before conditioning, involves an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) producing an unconditioned response (UCR) in an organism. In other words, this involves a natural stimulus that automatically elicits a response. In Pavlov’s experiment, dog’s salivating in response to the food was the natural stimulus. Here, presenting food is the unconditioned stimulus and salivating is the unconditioned response. Then we also introduce a neutral stimulus that produces no effect.
During Conditioning
During phase 2 of classical conditioning, the neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with the unconditioned stimulus. As a result, an association forms between the previously neutral stimulus and the unconditioned 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 that later becomes the conditioned stimulus.
After Conditioning
Once we build an association between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus, a new conditioned response is also created. For example, once a dog associates the sound of a bell with the presentation of food, the sound of a bell alone will create a conditioned response (salivating) in the dog.
What is Instrumental Conditioning
Instrumental conditioning or operant conditioning is a learning process that occurs by linking a behaviour and a consequence for that behaviour. These consequences involve rewards and punishments. B.F. Skinner is the father of instrumental conditioning. He studied this conditioning by conducting experiments using 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 get a food pellet as a reward, but if it presses the red button, it will receive a mild electric shock. 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 reinforcements and punishments. Reinforcement is any action that strengthens or raises the intensity of the consequent behaviour that follows it. Positive reinforcements are the favourable outcomes that follow a certain behaviour, for example, praise or reward. Negative reinforcements involve the removal of an unfavourable outcome following a certain behaviour, for example, not having to pay a fine. Both types of reinforcement involve strengthening the behaviour. Punishment, on the other hand, is any action that weakens or eliminates a behaviour rather than increase it. Positive punishment involves applying an unpleasant event after a behaviour; for example, spanking for misbehaving. Negative punishment, in contrast, is punishment by removal and involves taking away something favourable; for instance, taking away a privilege. We can further categorize negative reinforcement into escape conditioning and avoidance conditioning.
Difference Between Classical Conditioning and Instrumental Conditioning
Definition
Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs by linking two stimuli together to produce a new learned response in an individual. Instrumental conditioning is a learning process that occurs by linking a behaviour and a consequence for that behaviour.
Voluntary vs Involuntary
While classical conditioning involves involuntary behaviour (reflex action), instrumental conditioning involves voluntary behaviour.
Nature
In classical conditioning, a signal is given before the reflex, but in instrumental conditioning, reinforcement or punishment is given after the behaviour.
Process
In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus through association with an unconditioned stimulus and elicits a conditioned response. In instrumental conditioning, the probability of a certain behaviour is altered by consequences following it.
Conclusion
Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs by linking two stimuli together to produce a new learned response in an individual. Instrumental conditioning is a learning process that occurs by linking behaviour and a consequence for that behaviour. The main difference between classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning is that classical conditioning involves involuntary behaviour, whereas instrumental conditioning involves voluntary behaviour.
Reference:
1. Mcleod, Saul. “Classical Conditioning.” Simply Psychology.
2. Cherry, Kendra. “How Instrumental Conditioning Works According to Psychology.” Verywell Mind.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Pavlov’s dog conditioning” By Maxxl² – Own work – vectorizedPavlov dogs conditioning (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Operant conditioning diagram rev” By Box73 (recreated and converted to svg) and Curtis Neveu (source) – This file is a recreation of a diagram of operant conditioning (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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