Name That Behavior Discussion

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Kind of sounds like a game show doesn’t it? With the exam coming up I wanted to make sure you understood the distinctions between classical conditioning and operant conditioning as well as how both of them work.

Having both read the section on classical conditioning and watched the video on Ivan Pavlov you should all have some understanding of how the process was discovered, how it works and recognize examples of it. The repeated pairing of a conditioned stimulus prior to the presentation of an unconditioned stimulus eventually brings about the development of a conditioned response to the conditioned stimulus.

And in the readings on Instrumental/Operant behavior I discuss the four possibilities that can occur as a consequence of behavior and their effects on behavior. Those were positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment. Anything that increases the probability of behavior is said to be a form of reinforcement. Anything that decreases the probability of behavior is said to be a form of punishment. Positive and negative refer to whether something was added or removed to bring about the effect on behavior. Positive is not ‘good’ nor is negative ‘bad’ in this context.

What

For this discussion I’d like you each to provide an example of either classical or operant conditioning from your own experience. One or the other. You do not need to provide an example of each. Then detail the factors controlling the behavior. Remember that Pavlov stumbled onto the idea of classical conditioning after observing that his dogs started to salivate to things other than the presentation of food. It happens naturally all the time given the right conditions. And on the other hand, we also can recognize that much of what we do is ultimately aimed at either gaining some type of reward or avoiding punishment.

Are there times when you automatically respond to something without really thinking about it or observed someone else do so? This could even include an automatic response from a pet, such as one that comes running into the kitchen upon hearing their food bowl being filled. Or can you think of a real world example of an operant behavior and the consequences generated by that behavior. For instance, we speed on the freeway because we get where we’re going faster.

Here’s the catch. I want an original example. That means once someone posts a particular example it’s done. You can’t repeat an example that’s already been given. So, the more time that passes the harder this is going to get.

How

Be very specific in your example. For an example of classical conditioning note the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response. Also, discuss how you believe this conditioned response was established. What associations were formed and how did that occur? This would entail indicating the original unconditioned stimulus and response and how a connection was formed between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus.

For an example of operant conditioning describe the behavior and its consequence(s). Then tell me whether you think it is an example of positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment or negative punishment. Keep in mind that this may differ from one perspective to another. A father receives negative reinforcement for picking up a crying child because the crying stops. But the child receives positive reinforcement for crying because he gets that attention.

After providing your example, return to the discussion board later and reply to one of your peers by assessing their example. Give your opinion on whether the example truly is one of classical or operant conditioning. If you don’t think it is, provide your alternate explanation. And then assess whether you think your classmate is correct in their analysis of how the response was established and maintained.

When

I’d like you all to submit your examples by Thursday and respond to one of your peers by Sunday (11:59pm).

Assessment

Grading will be based on quality of content. Did you correctly identify an example of either classical or operant conditioning?

For an instance of classical conditioning did you identify the unconditioned stimulus and response as well as the conditioned stimulus and response as well as discuss how association was established?

For an instance of operant conditioning does your example depict an instance of the behavioral consequence that you selected?

In your responses to other students do you accurately cite principles of classical or operant conditioning when assessing their examples?

The analysis of behavior can be tricky. Don’t worry if it turns out you were off. The point here is to learn how to recognize what is involved in establishing and maintaining behaviors. And because it is tricky this discussion will be worth 15 points. 🙂