What is Conditioning?

Conditioning is an important idea in psychology. It explains how we learn and change our behavior based on what happens around us. There are two main types of conditioning: classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

1. Classical Conditioning

   • What It Means: This type of conditioning is about learning through connections. A stimulus that originally doesn’t mean anything becomes connected to something important, leading to a specific reaction.
   • Example: A famous example is Ivan Pavlov and his dogs. He discovered that the dogs would drool not only when they saw food but also when they heard a bell that was rung before the food was given. This shows that when a sound (the bell) is linked to food, the sound alone can make the dogs react.
   • Fact: Studies show that about 85% of animals can be trained using classical conditioning methods. This shows that it works for many kinds of animals.

2. Operant Conditioning

   • What It Means: This type looks at how the results of a behavior can change how likely that behavior is to happen again in the future. It uses rewards (positive or negative) and punishments (positive or negative) to change behavior.
   • Example: B.F. Skinner showed operant conditioning with experiments using a Skinner box. In this experiment, a rat learned to press a lever to get food.
   • Fact: Research shows that using positive rewards can increase behavior by about 34% compared to using punishment.

How Conditioning Affects Our Behavior

Conditioning plays a big role in how we act and respond in different situations. Here are three important ways conditioning can change behavior:

• Habituation: This is when we stop responding strongly to something that happens repeatedly. It helps with attention and focus. About 60% of the things we learn involve some habituation.

• Aversion Therapy: This method helps treat addictions or fears by linking negative feelings with certain behaviors. Research shows that this approach is successful for about 50-70% of patients.

• Behavior Modification Techniques: These are used in schools and therapy, like token economies, where people earn rewards for good behavior. Studies show that these systems can increase positive behavior by about 25%.

In summary, conditioning is a key part of understanding how behaviors change and how we learn. It helps show how both people and animals can adapt based on their surroundings.