What's the major difference(s) between classic conditioning and operant conditioning?

Question

I'm studying for a psychology test, and I'm not really sure how they're different.

Answer 1

Classical conditioning is best represented by the famous experiments by Pavlov with his dog. An unconditioned stimulus (food) elicited a response (salivating) from the dog. Pavlov then paired the food with a bell (a conditioned stimulus). With repeated pairing, the bell began to elicit the salivating. So classical conditioning basically involves the pairing of two stimuli so that a new stimulus elicits an old response.

Operant conditioning is basically the use of rewards and punishment to increase or decrease a behaviour. Training a dog is a good example of operant conditioning. Dog stands up on it's hind legs, it is given a treat, it learns to repeat the behaviour for a treat. Dog jumps up on the couch, gets sprayed with a water bottle. It learns not to jump up on the couch (at least when the owner is around!)

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

classic conditioning is done by a classical conductor....whereas operant conditioning is done by a opera conductor......

Answer 3

Senlin is right....where did uncle betty get her master's degree?!