Differentiate between classical and operant conditioning.

Classical conditioning and operant conditioning are two distinct types of associative learning that exhibit significant dissimilarities:

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Classical conditioning centers on involuntary, reflexive responses, while operant conditioning focuses on voluntary behaviors. In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a naturally eliciting stimulus, leading to a learned response to the previously neutral stimulus. For example, Pavlov’s dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell (initially a neutral stimulus) with the presentation of food (naturally eliciting salivation), causing them to salivate upon hearing the bell alone.

Operant conditioning, however, revolves around learning through consequences. It relies on reinforcement and punishment to strengthen or weaken behavior. When a behavior is followed by a desirable consequence (reinforcement), it is more likely to be repeated. Conversely, when a behavior is followed by an undesirable consequence (punishment), it is less likely to recur. For instance, a rat in a Skinner box may receive a food pellet (positive reinforcement) when it presses a lever, thereby learning to press the lever more frequently.

In summary, classical conditioning focuses on involuntary responses to stimuli, while operant conditioning emphasizes voluntary behaviors influenced by their consequences.