In class we were asked to provide an one example of classical and operant conditioning. We have to identify the stimulus, response and reinforcers in each example.
here are my examples:
Clasical Conditioning- My cat comes running everytime she hears the can opener.
Operant Conditoning-My daughter is given chores to do during the week. If she completes them then she receives a reward.
Will you please check my work now to see if I am right?
In example 1:
Stimulus-Food
Response-Approach
Reinforcer-Sound of the can opener
In example 2:
Stimulus-Money
Response-completes her chores
Reinforcer-chores
On example #2... wouldn't the list, be the reinforcer?
Clasical Conditioning- My cat comes running everytime she hears the can opener.
Operant Conditoning-My daughter is given chores to do during the week. If she completes them then she receives a reward.
Will you please check my work now to see if I am right?
In example 1:
Stimulus-Food
Response-Approach
Reinforcer-Sound of the can opener
In example 2:
Stimulus-Money
Response-completes her chores
Reinforcer-chores
Classical conditioning involves a reflexive response, like salivating or an eye blink. The approach is not reflexive. Getting the food is a reinforcer rather than the can opener.
The reward for doing the chores is the money, a secondary reinforcer. The stimulus might be some reminder to do the chores.
Perhaps a summary of the differences between classical and operant conditioning would be helpful.
Classical conditioning is characterized by several factors.
I. The key relationship is associating antecedent events.
II. It originates with reflexive behavior. The behavior is "built in."
III. Classical conditioning is essentially a process of stimulus substitution. The response essentially remains the same. The cat may originally salivate to the presence of the food. However, if the sound of the can opener consistently precedes the presentation of the food, the cat might salivate to the sound of the can opener.
IV. The response is elicited, since the behavior is reflexive.
Operant (Instrumental) Conditioning was started by Skinner and his box. In contrast to classical conditioning, operant conditioning has some specific qualities.
I. Consequences to responses are the key relationship.
II. Emitted responses are voluntary rather than reflexive.
III. Response substitution occurs -- unreinforced responses go to extinction, while reinforced responses become stronger. Essentially operant conditioning is response contingent reinforcement.
I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.
Your examples are almost correct, but there are a few clarifications needed.
In the classical conditioning example:
- The stimulus would be the sound of the can opener, not food. The can opener is what elicits the response.
- The response would be your cat coming running (approaching) whenever she hears the can opener.
- The reinforcer would be the food, which is presented after the cat approaches.
So the correct breakdown would be:
Stimulus: Sound of the can opener
Response: Cat coming running (approaching)
Reinforcer: Food
In the operant conditioning example:
- The stimulus would be some kind of reminder or cue to do the chores.
- The response would be your daughter completing her chores.
- The reinforcer would indeed be the reward she receives, which could be money or something else.
So the correct breakdown would be:
Stimulus: Cue or reminder to do the chores
Response: Daughter completing her chores
Reinforcer: Reward (money or other)
In classical conditioning, the key is to associate a neutral stimulus (can opener) with an already existing reflexive response (approaching food) to eventually elicit the reflexive response when the neutral stimulus is presented alone.
In operant conditioning, the key is to reinforce (reward) a voluntary behavior (completing chores) to increase the likelihood of that behavior happening again in the future.
I hope this clarifies the breakdown for you.