Conditioning

Definition:

Conditioning (lat. Conditio = condition) is a behavioral theory underlying learning theory, based on the stimulus-response model. In English literature, the S-R model (stimulus response) is used in this context.

A charm hits the human being, is processed in the 'black box' and ultimately creates a reaction. Stimulus and reaction can be observed by an outsider. What happens in the human being eludes objective surveillance but is not relevant for conditioning.

Psychology distinguishes between two different types of conditioning: on the one hand the classical conditioning, based on stimulus and reaction. On the other hand, operant conditioning (including instrumental conditioning), in which, starting from the stimulus, positive or negative amplifiers dictate the direction of the reaction.

Both forms are explained below with a short example.

Types of conditioning

 Classical conditioning: discovered by Ivan Pavlov in experiments with dogs (Pavlovian dogs), thus laying the theoretical foundation of behaviorism.

With optical presentation of food, the production of saliva involuntarily increases in dogs. Pavlov sounded a loud bell before each meal. After several repetitions (loud bell sound, following feeding), the salivary production of the dogs increased even if Pavlov only sounded the bell tone and the feeding of the dogs did not occur. In summary: innate reactions or reflexes (production of saliva when eating food) can be combined with neutral stimuli (bell sound), so that the innate reaction (production of saliva), even with the originally neutral stimulus (bell sound) is triggered. As a result, the unconditional stimulus (presentation of food) after conditioning is no longer necessary to effect the reaction (salivary production). The principle of classical conditioning also works with totally different physical reactions.

 Operant conditioning: also known as learning on success / failure. Initially rather random behavior leads to a positive or negative reaction (amplifier) ​​of the environment. A positive reinforcement increases the likelihood that the behavior will be shown again, while a negative reinforcement reduces the likelihood of re-exercising the behavior.

Simple example: Team X praises player Y after playing football for his rustic and unfair playing style. As a result of the positive amplifier (praise of the other players), it is very likely that player Y again shows the behavior (unfair playing style) at the next game. On the other hand, if the team disapproved of their style of play, criticizing him after each game (negative booster), he would adjust his behavior to that and renounce unfair fouls.

Summary

Conditioning is a learning theory (experimentally proven) based on the stimulus-response model.

Classical conditioning (stimulus and response) and operant conditioning (stimulus, positive or negative enhancer, reaction) are two distinct conditioning methods.