Application: Classical and Operant Conditioning

Perhaps as much or more than any other part of this course, this week's material on learning hits close to home. As you read about classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning, you likely had no problem seeing the connections between what you read and your own life.

Indeed, learning is what you have been doing for your entire life. In this Application Assignment, you will be given the opportunity to make this material your own by providing and then analyzing your own personal examples of both classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

To prepare for this assignment:

Review the basic elements in the classical conditioning paradigm and the operant conditioning paradigm.

For classical conditioning, review the "Pavlov's Experiments" section of Module 18.

For operant conditioning, review the "Skinner's Experiments" section of Module 19.

Brainstorm a list of possible examples from your own life experiences. As you pare down this list, seek out examples that are particularly rich and that will permit you to apply many, if not all, of the concepts contained within the classical conditioning paradigm or the operant conditioning paradigm.

Assignment (1-2 pages)