Correct Answer - Option 2 : Skinner
Learning takes place in many ways. The simplest kind of learning is called conditioning. Two types of conditioning have been identified. The first one is called classical conditioning, and the second instrumental/operant conditioning.
Instrumental/operant conditioning:
- This type of conditioning was first investigated by B.F. Skinner.
- Skinner studied the occurrence of voluntary responses when an organism operates in the environment. He called them operants.
- Operants are those behaviors or responses, which are emitted by animals and human beings voluntarily and are under their control.
- The term operant is used because the organism operates on the environment.
- Conditioning of operant behavior is called operant conditioning.
SKINNER’S EXPERIMENT WITH RAT
- Skinner developed a special apparatus known as a skinner’s box.
- This box has a grid floor, a system of light, or sound produced at the time of delivery of a pellet of food, in the food cup, on the pressing of the lever.
- Skinner placed a hungry rat in the box.
- In this experiment, pressure on the bar in a certain way, by the rat could result in the production of a click and emergence of a food pellet.
- The rat was rewarded for each proper pressing of the lever.
- The rat repeated this process and ultimately learned to press the lever desired by the experimenter.
Hence, it could be concluded that the 'Operant conditioning' theory was proposed by Skinner.
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Ivan Pavlov, a Russian psychologist has propounded the 'Theory of Classical Conditioning' which emphasizes that learning as a habit formation is based on the principle of association and substitution.
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E. L. Thorndike, an American psychologist has propounded the Stimulus-Response Theory (S-R Theory). In his theory, he emphasizes that learning is the result of associations forming between stimulus and responses.
