Introduction
Everyday questions about people, how they think and behave take center stage. Understanding behavior and mannerisms are the purposes of psychology. Understanding behavior facilitates the comprehension of self. Further analysis purports the idea of not only predicting behavior, but also manipulating it. The ability to manage and manipulate behavior is a powerful tool and as with any power misuse can occur. If wielded properly, it can help advance human civilization by managing characteristics that are self-destructive and cultivating ones that are beneficial.
Description and Contrast
The manner in which people behave is dependent of the learning processes they undergo. One acquires knowledge, accumulates it and finally puts it to use. Classical conditioning and operant conditioning are the different methods of learning. Classical conditioning is when the unconditioned stimulus leads to an unconditioned response. Also referred to as Pavlonian conditioning, it is a mode of learning where animals respond to a neutral stimulus that earlier had no effect, coupled with another stimulus in order to evoke an automatic response (Lilienfeld, 2013). The relationship between a neutral stimulus and an unconditional stimulus brings forth a conditioned response. Eventually, the conditioned response is triggered by the neutral response even if the unconditional stimulus is no longer there.
Operant conditioning is learning through application of consequences as rewards and punishments of an organism’s behavior. The process applies to not only people, but animals alike. Also referred to as instrumental conditioning, it functions on the basis of getting something in exchange for something else. Some of the rewards include; food, sexual favors and comfort. These voluntary responses (behaviors) follow the reinforcement stimulus. To optimize the effectiveness of operant conditioning, the response immediately follows the reinforcement (Gevaert, 2013). Negative reinforcements such as punishments though, diminish the likelihood of a favorable response.
These two methods despite being learning processes, differ in terms of functionality and execution. The first contrast is in terms of response that is automatic and reflexive in classical conditioning upon the effect of the conditional and unconditional stimulus. Operant conditioning, on the hand, results in voluntary responses. Classical conditioning reinforces nature over nurture, therefore, the responses elicited in this learning process are instinctual. Operant conditioning, on the other hand, results in voluntary responses; the organism intentionally acts in a manner that will result in the reception of a reward. In other words, the organism is guided toward a particular response through training. Pavlonian conditioning has an independent reward system, such that the dog received the meat powder all the time. Operant conditioning rewards the organism if the response is right. The lack of response from the organism means no reward for the animal.
Fetishes
Fetishes are sexual deviations that are aberrant, maladaptive and compulsive behaviors. Pavlonian conditioning is considered to play a role in the development of sexual deviations. Masochism has been attributed to conditioning as a consequence of a child feeling friction on the penis while being spanked across a parent’s lap. Intelligence tests developed by psychologists, purport that sexual deviation regularly result from accidental deviant experiences that were rewarding (Akins, 2004). It could also result from an unintentional pairing of an abnormal stimulus with sexual arousal and ejaculation. The multifactorial theory of sexual offending suggests that the sexual aggression arise due to the absence of intimacy. This occurs during childhood when parents fail to create a secure and meaningful attachment with the child. During adolescence, the child develops sexual urges while having a sensation of social ineptitude especially with women. Eventually, this culminates in the development of sexual thoughts such as molestation, voyeurism and other fetishes.
Animal Training
During animal training, classical conditioning is applied in a way such that the animal learns to associate two environmental stimuli. One stimulus is weaker than the other, like noise or a voice cue. The other is more powerful such as food. The weaker stimulus is the conditioned stimulus while the powerful one is the unconditioned stimulus. Resulting from frequent pairing, the conditioned stimulus replaces the unconditioned one by eliciting the same responses. The animal develops an involuntary response to the stimulus. A dog forcibly restrained and injected with a needle in a veterinary clinic, may associate the sound, look or smell of the facility with restraint and pain. Any future visits elicit fear from the dog.
The principles of operant conditioning include reinforcement, punishment and shaping and stimulus generalization and discrimination. Reinforcement stimuli increase chances of repetition of previous behaviors and include food, toys and salary increments. Punishment stimuli aim at decreasing previous behavior. These punishments can be positive or negative. Shaping process teaches complex behaviors by awarding closer approximations to the desired behavior.
Operant Conditional Principles in Dealing with Human Behavior
The client presenting with laziness and a desire to regularly exercise requires reinforcement. Occasional schedule reinforcement involves reinforcing a behavior only partially when done. Occasional reinforcement allows the response to last longer avoiding extinction. Advent in technology has made this task simple. The exercise trackers are wristband gadgets that provide personalized information including; calories consumed, length and depth of nightly sleep and number of steps taken in a day. The client is made aware of his daily activities and caloric intake to better motivate them to improve their current condition. Constant reminder of his dietary and fitness routine will condition him to voluntarily respond to the environment and adjust by staying fit. Presentation of a report on the client’s progress makes assessment of the undertaking possible.
Importance of Operant and Classical Conditioning Principles
Operant principles of reinforcement, punishment and shaping and classical principles of acquisition, spontaneous recovery, extinction, renewal effect and stimulus discrimination and generalization offer assistance in a variety of situations. Animal training and taming to perform specific tasks such as hunting and protecting people as well as how to behave in the family setting. Therapies to solve psychological problems, skills taught to sportsmen, students can improve their studying techniques, and shaping of behavior as in the case of dealing with a child used to throwing tantrums. These principles create an outline through which management and manipulation of certain behaviors for the betterment is made possible.
Conclusion
Be it voluntary or reflexive responses, operant and classical conditioning determine how organisms act and to what degree of intensity. Their roles are integral in understanding not only the human psyche but also those of other organisms. Application of these tools in real life circumstances develops the comprehension of Psychology and the potential it wields to help better grasp reality to secure the future.
Reference
Akins, C. K. (2004). The Role of Pavlonian Conditioning on Sexual Behavior: A Comparative Analysis of Human and Nonhuman Animals. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 17, 241-262.
Gevaert, E. (2013). Conditioning and Learning: Chapter 6. Introduction to Psychology: Gateway Theme (13th ed.).
Ginesi, S. (2007, May 22). Anxiety and Panic Disorders: Reasons for Biting Nails Onichophagia. Retrieved from http://www.livinghealthy360.com/index.php/reasons-for-biting-nails-onichophagia-53144/.
Lilienfeld, S. O., Lynn, S. J., Namy, L. L., & Woolf, N. J. (2013). Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding (3rd ed.). 2013. Pearson Education.
