Correct Answer - Option 3 : Conditioning
C
onditioning is the process of modifying one’s behavior with the help of some preparation or training. Behaviourism theory is an idea which states that learning takes place owing to conditioning. There are two types of conditioning:
- Classical conditioning
- Operant conditioning.
- Classical conditioning is a basic form of learning in which a previously neutral stimulus comes to elicit a given response. On the other hand, Operant conditioning is a form of learning in which the correct response is reinforced and becomes more likely to occur. In operant conditioning, the rewarding of the desired response is known as reinforcement.
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Classical conditioning gets its name from the fact that it is the kind of learning situation that existed in the early "classical" experiments of Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936). Classical Conditioning is also sometimes called respondent conditioning.
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Operant conditioning is a process through which organisms learn to repeat behaviors that produce positive outcomes or avoid or escape from the negative outcomes. It occurs when we make conscious choices.
- Skinner defined reinforcement as any operation or action that increases the rate of response.
- In operant conditioning, the behavior is controlled by the central nervous system while in classical conditioning the behavior is controlled by the automatic nervous system two principles of operant conditioning are called shaping and chaining.
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Shaping is a process of learning a new behavior in which successively closer approximation of the desired behavior is reinforced, that is the organism will be rewarded for each small step towards targeted behavior.
- Any complex behavior or skill is the chain of many steps. The process of chaining involves breaking a task into small steps and then teaching these steps in sequence or chain.
- In chaining, only the targeted behavior is rewarded, i.e., once the trainee accomplishes the last step he will be rewarded.
NOTE:
- Imitation is one of the important methods based on social learning theory, which could be applied in learning many skills.
- Rote Memorization leads to temporary learning and does not makes learning effective.
Hence, we can conclude that Conditioning is central to learning.
