Learning

Operant conditioning is a form of learning in which responses are controlled by their consequences.

The term operant conditioning for this type of learning was coined by B.F Skinner.

Ref: Beginning Psychology By Malcolm Hardy, 5th Edition, Page 54; Universal Principles of Design By William Lidwell, Page 174; Psychology: Themes and Variations By Wayne Weiten, 9th Edition, Page 240; Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior By Dennis Coon, 12th Edition, Page 221.

Pavlov’s experiment is an example of Classical conditioning.

Classical conditioning is a process of learning, by which a previously neutral stimulus elicit an identical or similar response to one originally elicited by another stimulus as a result of pairing of the two stimuli. 

Habituation is a simple form of learning in which a neutral stimulus is repeated many times.

Ref: Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology 23rd edition, Chapter 19.

D i.e. Conditioned learning

B i.e. Negative conditioning

C i.e. Punishment

Operant conditioning (learning) procedures of behaviour therapy to change maladaptive behaviour use response as reinforcerQ.

In punishment (operant conditioned-behaviour therapy) aversive (pain) response/stimulus is given for decreasing undesired behaviourQ whereas, in positive reinforcement desirable behaviour is followed by reward (eg material, praise or token economy) and in negative reinforcement punishment is avoided on performance of desirable act to strengthen it Many of bad day to day habbits can be removed by negative conditioning (contingency managment)Q

Operant Conditioning procedures used in 

Behaviour Therapy

Biofeed back Therapy

• Biofeeback (of Neal miller) involves recording and displaying of small changes in physiological parameter by use of instruments eg pulse rate, blood pressure, electrical potentials of muscle fibers (EMG), brain waves (EEG), heart rhythm (ECG), skin conductivity (GSR = galvanic skin response gauge or relaxomoter) which is decreased during relaxed state, skin temperature (measured by thermistor, decreased during tension d/t peripheral vasoconstriction)
• It is based on concept that the autonomic nervous system can be volutary controlled through operant conditioning. Patient is attached to instrument that measures physiological function & translate measurement into audible or visual signal that is used by patient gauge their response. It is used in
• Patient then learn to regulate biological states that affect symptoms usually in an indirect way such as relaxing. Eg a person leans to raise the temperature of hands to reduce frequency of migraines, palpitations, or angina pectoralis.
• Less common uses are insomnia, dysmenorrhea, speech problems, volitional disorder, improving athelitic performance, managing stress, achieving altered state of consciousness, suppleminting psychotherapy for anxiety a/w somatoform disorder (use frontalis muscle EMG & thermal bio feedback)- (Kaplan-950). However oxford-593 iniludes it in behaviour technique no longer 

A i.e. Punishment 

Punishment & frustrative-non reward lead to decrease in resultant behavior, whereas both positive & negative reinforcements increases (reinforces) the frequency of a particular response.

Operant conditioning describes how consequences of a behavior lead to an increase or decrease in that behavior. Behavior is increased when it is followed by reward (Positive reinforcement) or removal of unpleasant stimulus (negative reinforcement) and reduced by taking away a positive stimulus (frustrative-non reward) or adding a negative stimulus (punishment).

C i.e. Recruitment by multiplication of neurons

A > Conditioned Reflex

Ans. is ‘b’ i.e., Temporary change in behaviour

Learning

• Learing is any relative permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a result of practice of experience.
• It means acquiring something new- new knowledge, new techniques, new skills, new fears and new experiences.
• Learing is necessary for man’s survival and for human progress.
• It includes not only acquiring knowledge but also skills and formation of habits, and development of perception.
• Learing depends largely upon intelligence.
• Learing also depends upon motivation, and motivation depends on the need sutdents feel to learn.
• Learing is a continuous process. It is both conscious and unconscious.

Ans. a. Operant conditioning

Ans. is ‘b’ i.e., Classical conditioning

Classical conditioning

• In classical conditioning, the conditioned stimulus (which usually does not produce the response), when paired with unconditioned stimulus (stimulus which usually produces a response), directly produces a response.
• The typical example of classical conditioning is pavlov’s experiment. Normally food produces salivation in dog, Therefore salivation in response to food is called unconditioned response and the stimulus, i.e., food is called unconditioned stimulus. Under normal circumstances, a dog does not salivate at the sound of a bell. However, if the sound of bell is paired consistently with presentation of food, the dog begans to salivate to the sound of bell even if the food is not presented. This learned response, i.e., salivation to a sound of bell without food, is called conditioned response and the stimulus (sound of a bell) is called conditioned stimulus.
• There is a reverse side to classical conditioning, called counter conditioning. This amounts to reducing the intensity of conditioned response (e.g., anxiety) by establishing an incompatible response (e.g., relaxation) to a conditioned stimulus (i.e., snake). So anxiety symptoms can be reduced when the stimuli to anxiety are presented in graded order and systemically paired with a relaxation response. This process of reciprocal inhibition is called systemic desensitization.
• Other behavioral therapies based on classical conditioning principle (counter conditioning) are exposure with response prevention and aversion therapy.