This document explores conditioning theories related to behavioral change, focusing on classical and operant conditioning as frameworks for understanding how human behavior can be modified. It emphasizes the importance of ethical and environmentally driven transformations within individuals, while discussing personal experiences related to gambling and phobias as practical applications of these theories. The author argues that behavioral change is achievable with the right strategies and insights, drawing on psychological principles to illustrate the complexities involved in changing behavior.

1. CONDITIONING THEORIES 2
CONDITIONING THEORIES 3
Conditioning Theories
Sandra Pennington
Capella University
Learning And Cognition
Psyc-FP3500
Alyssa Gilston
Running head: CONDITIONING THEORIES 1
August 201
Behavioral Change Comment by DrG: Begin at top of page
Humans are unique and complex beings who have to keep up
with a number of things to survive and coexist with others
within a given environment. However, it is worth noting that
people are usually different and not all behaviors portrayed by
different individuals appeal to the society. The best factor about
human behaviors is that they can be changed and transformed to
what the society considers as right (Youngberg, 2004). The best
way to achieve behavioral structuring and modeling is through
defining the right paths of action to be followed in order to
adopt the acceptable code of ethics. The best path could be self-
driven or environmentally dictated. Behavioral change is a topic
that has attracted a lot of attention from researchers and
resulted into numerous publications with different ideas about
the matter. There are countless theories about how one can
achieve behavioral change. To explore various dynamics

2. governing behavioral change, this paper explores conditioning
as one of the theories of various character changes and how it
has affected my own behaviors. Comment by DrG: Your
paper needs a strong introduction. The introduction provides
you with an opportunity to capture your reader's attention and to
provide an overview of your paper. Then add your thesis
statement “the purpose of this paper is to…”
Behavioral changes involve either starting something that never
existed before or dumping the old doings that have always been
part and parcel of one’s life. There are two theories of
behavioral change that are more established; classical and
operant conditioning. It is a common notion that despite the fact
that there are over seven billion people in the world, each
person is unique in a way, and the key to transformation or
significant changes is by experimenting ethically accepted traits
and adopting the ones that best suit an individual. One feature
may work pretty well for one individual but turn out to be a
total disaster for the next person (Kim, 2015). There is no
particular method in human life that works well for everyone,
and the fact that a particular strategy does not work for you
should be a reason to try something else and not consider
oneself a failure. Diversity is the reason the world is
accommodative to all people. Comment by DrG: These are two
types of learning – you need to explain Comment by DrG: Cite
your source Comment by DrG: Review all directions
Comment by DrG: Find a peer-reviewed research study
that addresses the theory or treatment of phobias that was
published after 1990. Summarize the methods used and the
conclusions made, and describe the key aspects of the research
that reflect behaviorist principles.
Classical conditioning entails developing or conditioning a
particular reflexive behavior by associating a neutral stimulus
or agent with a naturally occurring one. With time and
frequency of occurrences, the neutral stimulus, on its own, will
be able to trigger a reflex. Ivan Pavlov’s carried out an

3. experiment to validate the authenticity of classical conditioning.
A demonstration by the Nobel Prize winner involved dogs, a
bell, and food. Pavlov used to ring a bell (neutral stimulus)
whenever food was ready. The dogs would salivate when they
saw the food (reflex/ naturally occurring stimulus). With time,
this became a habit. Whenever the food was ready the bell
would ring and the dogs would salivate because it had become a
routine (Kim, 2015). One time Ivan rang the bell without the
food, and he observed that the dogs salivated. The salivation
was directly linked to the ringing of the bell and not the
presence of the food. Comment by DrG: Yes – learning via
association
The classical type of conditioning can be experienced in human
beings but from a different perspective. Behavioral change can
be attributed to classical theory by finding positive pairings that
can influence change in the right direction. Classical
conditioning has played an important role in helping me quit
gambling. Whenever I went out or was hanging out with a
certain group that I considered members of my inner circle, we
ended up gambling and lost a lot of money. The addiction was
getting worse and I had to do something to help me find a way
out. Noticing that the only thing that facilitated my active
participation in gambling was being with my friends, I
considered changing the friends I frequently spent my time
with. Getting a new group that did not value gambling but
preferred playing video games and watching movies helped me
find a way out. Avoiding my friends killed my urge to getting
involved in gambling activities. The above illustration of
evading gambling is an example of getting rid of a potential
stimulus: the association between my friends and gambling.
Whenever I am around a certain group of friends, gambling
ideas come up. Avoiding such friends would play a part in
avoiding gambling. Comment by DrG: Good
Phobias are another appropriate example that involves the use
of classical conditioning. Various people have different phobias
that tend to affect them negatively. It cannot be debatable that

4. most of these phobias are psychological and can be dealt with in
one way or the other (Kavaler & Spiegel, 2003). Most phobias
develop from individuals associating various activities with
negative comments or thoughts. Some of the phobias emanate
from theories that people have developed or rumors that have
spread over time, from one generation to the other. Most people,
for instance, believe that when they fly on a plane, they will
feel dizzy, throw up and sometimes pass out. The fear of flying
has then developed among various individuals making them to
fear flying when indeed the information they have is a mere
rumor. Classical conditioning helps overcome phobia. Kim Pratt
believes that to overcome a particular phobia, one has to
associate the activity involved or the one that someone is scared
of with something more fun and friendly. For people with a fear
of flying, they can try to associate flying with a feeling of
excitement and relaxation. The fear associated with these
activities is psychological and can only be overcome by being
psychologically strong and willing to fight the fear and adopt
brevity. Being brave and applying the principles of classical
conditioning is the best treatment for phobias. Comment by
DrG: Yes! Comment by DrG: Who?
Operant conditioning, unlike classical conditioning, uses
reinforcement, also known as punishment, to shape the
acceptable code of ethics or desired behavior. Under this
conditioning strategy, if something good occurs, a prize or an
award is issued to commend the individual for portraying what
the society believes is the best way of doing things. The issuing
of a reward entails positive reinforcement. The members of that
particular group will then strive to do the best things to be a
part of the reward and be recognized by the society (Kavaler &
Spiegel, 2003). Continuous attempt to emerge the best and be on
one’s best behavior keeps the society riding on good and moral
values. To deviate from uncouth traits in the society,
punishment is always administered to help discourage certain
type of behavior within the society. Operant conditioning makes
sure that everyone is responsible for the decision made, both

5. good and bad. From the previous illustration, there is a thick
line separating classical and operant conditioning. Whereas
classical focuses on reflexive behavior, the operant has
everything to do with voluntary behavior. Comment by
DrG: Yes!! Cite your sources
Operant conditioning best suits pupils and students in schools.
Parents can also apply this strategy to ensure that their children
develop to be better citizens and leaders of tomorrow. The
conditioning has always played a significant role in nurturing
children’s behaviors and ensuring that all the wrong deeds are
punished to limit chances of recurrence. The biggest challenge
with employing the strategy is the relapse. Administering
punishment is not a guarantee that something that was
considered wrong or that is not encouraged by the society that
was once done by an individual will not be repeated by the same
person (Kim, 2015). At the age of eleven, I used to access
explicit content on the Internet, a character that was instilled by
my elder sister. I was not smart enough at the time and did not
know that my browser was smart enough to keep track of
everything I did with my computer. My parents could then find
out and I would get the worst of punishments. Being grounded
was on top of the list and was never allowed to access any sort
of entertainment materials. With such treatment, I learned that
whatever I was doing was not right. What contributed to my not
repeating the mistake was not the idea that whatever I was
involved with was wrong, but rather the punishment involved
was severe. Punishment, in this strategy, is not efficient enough
to help one adapt the acceptable code of ethics. What happened
when I finally got an access to a computer away from home is
the best description of relapse. Punishment is not the way to go,
and this makes operant conditioning somewhat unworthy.
Behavioral change is significant as far as development and
peaceful coexistence in the society is concerned. Acquiring and
retaining healthy behavior may be a task too difficult to live up
to. Dr. Fogg, an expert in psychology, believes that behavioral
change needs three habits, and anyone interested in making a

6. change must consider the steps. Having an epiphany is the first
item in his list, with changing one’s context being one of the
most important things. Fogg argues that it is pointless trying to
acquire new personalities and having them work while staying
with the same old company in the very environment that led to
the development of the traits one is trying to shake off. Taking
baby steps is the last item on the list. Fogg argues that Rome
was not built in a day. He further states that behavior is bigger
than Rome and building it in a day is an avenue for watching it
crumble once it reaches the top.
Behavioral change is possible, and the world has experienced
significant changes that have modeled the globe into a friendly
environment to live in. Drug addicts, gamblers, and murderers
have been able to change their behaviors through psychiatric
guidance and counseling. Changes in the way an individual acts
and conduct himself/ herself is entire psychological and it can
be changed if the right tool or approach is used. All that needs
to be done is accepting the fact that an individual is in need of
help and working hard towards achieving the change that one
believes is desirable. The only way that people are going to
make a difference and leave the world a better place is by being
the change they want to see in the world. A better way of
working hard towards being the best is considering the fact that
many are yet to come and live on earth and tread on some of the
paths followed by the current generations. It is more motivating
to treat the world as a debt to be paid to our children as opposed
to an inheritance from the forefathers as this will facilitate the
best behavior. Comment by DrG: Your conclusion should
synthesize rather than repeat the main ideas verbatim. Usually,
the first sentence of the conclusion is a rephrasing of the thesis.
The conclusion reminds the reader what your paper is about and
allows you to make a final point without introducing new
information.

7. References Comment by DrG: You
were to “Find a peer-reviewed research study that addresses the
theory or treatment of phobias that was published after 1990.
Summarize the methods used and the conclusions made, and
describe the key aspects of the research that reflect behaviorist
principles.” None of these are peer reviewed sources
Kavaler, F., & Spiegel, A. D. (2003). The need for behavioral
change. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett
Publishers.
Kim, P. (2015). How to change behavior: A Theoretical
Overview. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky.
Comment by DrG: Indent
Youngberg, B. J. (2004). Theory of behavioral changes.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL: Joint Commission
Resources.
Hi Sandra,
Thank you for submitting your second paper. You need to
include a clear introduction as well. Remember, the
introductory paragraph should introduce the problem and tell
readers what you plan to present in the body of your paper.
Subsequent paragraphs should follow the same form,

8. introductory statement, evidence to support a logical flow of
ideas related to that statement leading to a concluding statement
that provides a segue into the next main idea. Before presenting
recommendations, you must summarize the evidence, tying it to
facts presented in your report with citations of sources.
Conclusions should follow so that you make it absolutely clear
to readers what important evidence and main ideas you want
them to carry with them into your recommendations. Without a
clear summary and conclusion, readers will have no clear idea
what you are talking about and will be left to their own
imagination.
Turnitin indicated that your paper has a 1% match for
plagiarism – nice job! You do need to be sure to answer all
questions clearly and completely.
Be sure to only use proper sources, like those found in our
online databases and peer reviewed journals. This assignment
asked to “find a peer-reviewed research study that addresses the
theory or treatment of phobias that was published after 1990.
Summarize the methods used and the conclusions made, and
describe the key aspects of the research that reflect behaviorist
principles.” You did not include any peer reviewed study.
You had some errors in APA formatting. I recommend that you
contact your coach and your tutor to help you as you edit your
paper and locate proper sources. You will want to use all of our
resources, Smarthinking, the writing center and iGuide APA
resources.
I look forward to reading your future papers!
Dr. Gilston