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Chapter 14: Problem 11

(a) Explain the difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning. (b) Explain the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment. (c) Explain the difference between Freud's concept of repression and Skinner's view of repression.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Classical conditioning links two stimuli while operant conditioning pairs behavior and response. Negative reinforcement is about the increase of a behavior to remove an unpleasant situation while punishment is about decreasing a behavior. Freud and Skinner had diametrically different views about repression, with Freud seeing it as defense mechanism leading to psychological distress and Skinner focusing on observable behaviors.

Step by step solution

01

Explain Classical and Operant Conditioning

Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone. It was first described by Ivan Pavlov. Operant Conditioning, on the other hand, involves learning through the consequences of behavioral responses. The behavior either gets reinforced or punished, leading to an increase or decrease in such behavior in the future. It's a learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment, developed by B.F. Skinner.
02

Explain Negative Reinforcement and Punishment

Negative reinforcement is a concept of Operant conditioning that presents certain condition/situation that when removed after a behavior, it increases the frequency of that behavior. To simplify, behavior that removes something unpleasant is likely to be repeated. As for punishment, it is also a concept of Operant conditioning. It is a process that decreases the future probability of a response. It implies adding or removing a certain stimulus, which results in reducing a behavior or response.
03

Explain Freud's Concept of Repression and Skinner's view of Repression

Sigmund Freud's concept of repression represents a cornerstone in the foundation of psychoanalysis. Freud believed repression to be a defense mechanism humans utilize to remain ignorant of unacceptable urges, impulses, or thoughts. He suggested that repression can lead to psychological distress. On the other hand, Skinner, a behaviorist, did not believe in the concept of repression in the same way. He rather focused his study on observable behaviors and rejected Freud's idea of hidden, unconscious desires.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A terrorist blows up a building in a hated foreign country. How might Skinner explain the terrorist's behavior?

Skinner is highly critical of current educational practices, and argues that they do not produce a lasting love of learning. "Suppose we wish to teach a student to read 'good books'- -books which do not reinforce the reader sentence by sentence or even paragraph by paragraph, but only when hundreds of pages have prepared him for a convincing denouement. The student must be exposed to a program of materials that builds up a tendency to read in the absence of reinforcement. [But] schools are likely to arrange just the wrong conditions, [as by forcing] books on students before they have had adequate preparation. It is therefore not surprising that few students even in good universities learn to read books of this sort and do so for the rest of their lives" \((1968, \mathrm{p} .79) .\) What is your evaluation of Skinner's criticism?

Give an example from real life or from fiction to illustrate each of the following Skinnerian concepts: (a) response shaping, (b) partial reinforcement, (c) stimulus generalization, (d) discrimination, (e) extinction.

Skinner argues that operant conditioning is an unselfish and benign form of behavior control, because others must be assured of reinforcement. Yet some critics contend that his ideas represent a serious threat to individual freedom. Which view do you prefer? Why?

I wish to decide whether to include more or fewer study questions in this chapter. decide that I feel like adding a few questions, and I do. I then claim that this shows I have free will, since I could just as easily have chosen to delete a few questions. (a) How would Skinner reply? (b) Do you agree or disagree with Skinner? Why?
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