Classical and Operant Conditioning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Classical and Operant Conditioning - Essay Example The following morning, they once again decide to get their exercise (UR) by walking (US) the same route of the past two days, only this time they enter the gymnasium to look around and make some queries. The fourth morning, they once again decide to walk (US) down Leon Avenue; and as was the case yesterday, they enter the gymnasium. This time, however, they become members (CR) having decided to use this facility for their exercising. The next morning and many mornings thereafter, the gymnasium (CS) is the place they go for their exercise (CR). This student has also chosen an activity for operant conditioning; namely, studying. A psychology professor has a double period every Friday. On some of those Fridays, the professor will, at the beginning of the second period, ask the students to study (desired behavior) the material from the first period, telling them they are free to ask him questions about the material that they did not understand. Some students do as asked, while others do not. Then, approximately 15 minutes before the end of study period a quiz is given. Those who studied, invariably obtain a good mark on the quiz, which serves as a positive reinforcement for their studying behavior. As students who studied keep receiving good quiz grades (positive reinforcement), it strengthens the desired response (studying) and increases the chance that it will keep on happening (Morris, 1976). Social and cultural environments actually act as powerful classical and operant conditioners. The class is one cultural indicator (Benchmarks on Line). If a person is born into a class (e.g. upper middle class) where diligent studying and resulting good grades are highly valued, a student will be praised and often also rewarded with tangible items such as a bicycle, camp, a skiing holidays, and so forth.