Difference Between Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning

1. Differences between Classical
Conditioning and Operant Conditioning
Dr. Manju N. D
Assistant Professor
SVK National College of Education
Kuvempu University, Shimoga

2. Differences between Classical
Conditioning and Operant Conditioning
Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning
Classical conditioning is a
learning process first
discovered by the Russian
physiologist Ivan Petrovich
Pavlov in the early 1900s
Operant Conditioning is the
term coined by B.F. Skinner in
1938.
The theory of Classical
Conditioning deals with the
learning process leading us to
gain a new behavior via the
process of association.
Operant conditioning is a form
of learning which explains the
relation of behaviors on certain
rewards and consequences.

3. Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning
Respondent Conditioning Operant conditioning
‘S’ type conditioning ‘R’ type conditioning
Pairing of UCS and CS No pairing of UCS and CS
CR and UCR are same CR and UCR are Different
Association between S-R is on
the basis of law of contiguity
Association between S-R is on
the basis of law of effect.
Single S-R bond Sequence of responses

4. Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning
Essence of learning is stimulus
substitution
Essence of learning is response
modification
Stimulus generalization Stimulus discrimination
The classically conditioned reflexes
may have zero strength initially
The operant cannot have zero
strength because it has to occur at
least once before it can be
reinforced
Respondent behaviour is internal Operant is external behaviour
Controlled by autonomous nervous
system
Controlled by central nervous
system
Elicited behaviour Emitted behaviour