LEARNING THEORIES

Interpretation of Classical Conditioning Theory, Operant Conditioning and Social Learning Theory



Abstract

This paper includes interpretations of different learning and conditioning theories. Many of the theories of learning discussed in this paper are somehow different from the actual situations in which human beings learn different things. Nevertheless, these theories have several implications in human behavior and learning. The theories discussed in this paper include the theories of classic conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning. An understanding of these theories can enrich our comprehension of different learning situations. These conditioning and learning theories provide a powerful knowledge base that explains how learning takes place.

Interpretation of Classical Conditioning Theory, Operant Conditioning and Social Learning

Theory

Interpretation of Theories

Pavlov & Watson's Theory of Classic Conditioning

The theory of classic conditioning was first explained by a Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov. Later, John B. Watson studied classic conditioning in infants.

Conditioning can be described as learning associations between events that take place in the environment. Classic conditioning is defined as a reflexive or automatic kind of learning. In this type of learning, a stimulus attains the capability to induce a response that was originally evoked by another stimulus (Mitterer and Coon, 2008).

Classic conditioning is a process of learning which takes place via temporal association. In classic conditioning, events that occur constantly become amalgamated the mind of an individual and eventually generate the similar comeback (Comer, 2004).

From the theory of classic conditioning by Pavlov & Watson, it can be interpreted that when a natural reflex retorts a stimulus, learning takes place. Classic conditioning theory of Pavlov and Watson is a foundation stone of behaviorist learning theories.

According to the experiment conducted by Pavlov, the dog starts salivating when food is given to it. In this scenario, food is unconditioned stimulus. On the other side, the salivation is an unconditioned reflex. When different stimulus for instance ringing the bell and providing food are repeated, the dog starts salivating. Eventually, the dog will salivate when the bell is ringing despite the food is absent. Therefore, the conditioned stimulus is bell ringing and is the salivation is the conditioned response or reflex (Dembo, 1994).

John B. Watson extended Pavlov's work by applying it to human beings. In 1921, Watson conducted his studies on eleven months old infant named Albert. The purpose of the study was to make Albert afraid of a white rat. In order to carry out this task, the white rat was paired with a very loud noise. Initially, Albert did not show any sign of fear. However, when the rat was repeatedly paired with the (UCS), Albert developed a fear of rats. It can be comprehended from this experiment that the fear was induced by the loud noise. It can be interpreted from the experiment conducted by Watson that that classical conditioning results in some irrational fears in humans.

Classic conditioning is also called Respondent Conditioning or Pavlovian Conditioning. The term 'respondent' defines the spontaneous nature of the response of a subject in classic ...