Psychology - Comparison of classical conditioning and operant
conditioning

Comparison of classical conditioning and operant conditioning

ELEMENTS
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING
OPERANT CONDITIONING

ROLE OF LEARNER
Passive
Active

TIMING OF STIMULIS AND RESPONSE
Reinforcement occurs BEFORE the response
Reinforcement occurs AFTER the response

NATURE OF RESPONSE
Automatic; Involuntary Response (salivation) Depends on reinforcement (meat powder)
being presented
Voluntary and Involuntary Reinforcement (food pellet) depends on response (press lever)
being made