Introduction
A phobia is an irrational fear to natural phenomenon such that it is abnormal as compared to the behavior of normal people. It is normally triggered by a specific stimulus and hence is a consequence of conditioning. An addiction is a dependence on a substance or action for acquisition of pleasure with little regard for the possible negative effects. Conditioning is the training of the human, or any animal’s, system to respond in a specific manner when exposed to a specific stimulus. It can be voluntary or involuntary on the part of the subject hence the two types of conditioning: operant and classical.
Discuss Phobias and Addictions as Related to Classical and Operant Conditioning
Classical and operant conditioning are ways of training the body to respond to various stimuli in various ways. Such reactions normally result in addictions or phobias (both of which are abnormal behavior). This shows that the body can be conditioned to operate in abnormal ways that are not congruent to normal body functioning.
Operant conditioning is the training of the body to recognize the consequence of a certain action and hence avert or seek its occurrence. A good effect (pleasure) is sought after while a negative one (pain) is avoided. As such, operant conditioning results in addictions since the body is conditioned to yearn for the commencement of pleasure or for the end of a painful state. A good example is the initial consumption of a drug that results in a feeling of pleasure. This sends a message to the brain via neurotransmitters. Any proceeding consumption, therefore, solicits the same response and the body soon associates the drug with pleasure and craves for endless periods of consumption of the drug.
Classical conditioning is the interlinking of two unrelated stimuli such that one becomes dependent and linked to the other. Classical conditioning results in development of phobias since it associates normal phenomena with abnormal or exaggerated effects. Phobias such as agoraphobia develop due to past experiences such as witnessing a horrific accident. This may make such an individual extremely afraid of public places, safe as they may actually be.
Explore How Addictions Can Be Developed Through Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning is an associative type of learning that relates a certain stimuli to a certain consequence (either pain or pleasure). It involves the placement of a reward or a form of punishment after the stimulus. This means that a conditioned response is solicited by this initial stimulus. The same principle can be used to explain the development of an addiction. The initial pleasure obtained from the consumption of a drug may create a neurological pathway that associates the drug with utter pleasure. The body soon becomes conditioned and dependent on the stimulus to acquire the required pleasure. Eventually it becomes a sort of basic necessity, due to the operant conditioning.
Distinguish Between Classical and Operant Conditioning
Classical conditioning involves the conditioning of neutral stimuli based on a natural reflex mechanism. A good example is Ian Pavlov’s test whereby he rang a bell to his dog at a certain time and thereafter gave the dog food. After several runs, the dog soon learnt to associate the ringing of the bell to food. It would then salivate so long as the bell was rang at that specific time, even if no food was forthcoming. It is important to note that the neutral stimulus is placed before the reflex. In the above example the neutral stimulus is the ringing of the bell while the unconditioned stimulus is the taste of the forthcoming food (Coon, 2006).
Operant conditioning is the training of the body to recognize the consequence of a certain action and hence avert or seek its occurrence. It involves the formation of an association between a particular behavior and the consequences through artificial training. An example is the training of a dog to fetch a ball and giving a reward upon retrieval of the ball. The dog soon learns to associate the fetching of the ball with a reward and this becomes an addictive habit. In operant conditioning, the behavior is voluntary while in classical conditioning the behavior is involuntary. Operant conditioning requires active participation of the learner while classical conditioning merely requires a passive learner since the behavior is involuntary.
Explain What Extinction Means and How It Is Achieved In Both Classical and Operant Conditioning
Extinction is the gradual decline of a conditioned response. It is whereby the subject fails to recognize the stimulus hence the whole response mechanism is rendered ineffective. In operant conditioning, this is normally achieved when the subject loses the desire for the reward or is no longer afraid of the punishment. In classical conditioning, gradual withdrawal of the reinforcement slowly result in reverse conditioning until eventually the unconditioned response ceases to respond to the unconditioned stimulus (Edwards, 1991).
Explore how Phobias can be developed through Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning is the pairing of an unconditioned neutral response to one that is conditioned such that the unconditioned stimulus responds to the original stimulus. An individual may, therefore, associate an unconditioned response, such as fear of a spider from the biting and maybe death, to the sight of a spider, much as the two are unrelated. This results in an irrational fear of the spider (arachnophobia).
Conclusion
Phobias are consequence of classical conditioning due to their involuntary nature. Addictions, on the other hand, are a consequence of operant conditioning since the learner is actively involved in the process of conditioning. Phobias and addictions show that the human behavioral system can be altered through systematic training to acquire the required tuning.
References
Edwards, G. (1991). Addictions: Personal Influences and Scientific Movements. New Brunswick,
U.S.A: Transaction Publishers.
Coon, D., & Coon, D. (2006). Psychology: A Modular Approach To Mind And Behavior.
Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
