The first part of the classical conditioning process requires a naturally occurring stimulus that will automatically elicit a response. Salivating in response to the smell of food is a good example of a naturally occurring stimulus.

Classical conditioning process

• Unconditioned stimulus. This is the thing that triggers an automatic response.
• Unconditioned response.
• Conditioned stimulus.
• Conditioned response.
• Extinction.
• Generalization.
• Discrimination.

Extinction is the process in which classical conditioning is undone, such that the subject does not produce CR in response to CS. The sudden response by an organism with CR in reaction to the stimulus is known as spontaneous recovery.

Operant conditioning is a learning process whereby deliberate behaviors are reinforced through consequences. If the dog then gets better at sitting and staying in order to receive the treat, then this is an example of operant conditioning.

Classical and operant conditioning are both similar because they involve making association between behaviour and events in an organism’s environment and are governed by several general laws of association – for example, it is easier to associate stimuli that are similar to each other and that occur at similar times.

An example of positive reinforcement is providing a sticker to a student once they’ve completed an assignment. An example of negative reinforcement is allowing the student to leave circle time for a five-minute break after they use a break card.

Similarities Between Positive and Negative Reinforcement The major similarity lies with its main objective, which is to increase the rate of any behavior (operant). Both of these fall under the concept of Operant Conditioning, Reinforcement.