Classical Conditioning Essay

491 Words2 Pages
How do classical conditioning procedures differ from operant conditioning procedures? How are they similar? In your opinion, which learning process is more effective? Why? Classical and operant conditioning procedures differ in the sense that a classical conditioning procedure creates an association between two stimuli and an operant conditioning procedure creates an association between a behavior and the environment. An example of classical conditioning would be Watson’s experiments with the boy in the hospital. He created an association between white animals and loud noises. The result of this was the child fearing white animals, and even Santa Claus later in life. An example of operant conditioning is punishing a child for not doing a chore. The two procedures are similar because they produce a desired behavior. In my opinion, the operant conditioning procedure is more effective when dealing with people. I know this because of firsthand experience with my kids. If they know that there will be consequences for not doing their chores or getting bad grades, they will be more likely to do their chores and get better grades to avoid the punishment. For example, if a child does not do his/her chore, the result could be something as simple as being put in his/her room for the day. That is undesirable when the child wants to play outside, so he/she will be more willing to do the chore in order to leave. How do we see observational learning used in the workplace? How do we see observational learning being used in our everyday life? Is observational learning effective? Why or why not? Observational learning is used in the workplace when new employees are being trained for employment. For example, the new employees watch what is happening in the workplace to see how they should act and what is acceptable there. From then on, they tend to mimic a lot of what
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