Phobias And Addictions: Classical And Operant Conditioning
Phobias and Addictions
PSY/300
Bonnie Johnson
09/22/2014
Phobias and Addictions
Phobias and addictions are two emotional difficulties that people throughout the world suffer from. Herein we will explore these emotional difficulties as they relate to classical and operant conditioning. More precisely, how phobias can be developed through classical conditioning and how addictions can be developed through operant conditioning. Moreover, this paper will distinguish between classical and operant conditioning as well as provide an explanation to what extinction means, and how it is achieved in both classical and operant conditioning. However, prior to giving an explanation for these …show more content…
topics we must first understand both operant and classical conditioning in their general sense.
Operant Conditioning
According to an article I found models of operant conditioning are relatively insensitive to those from the past in relation to behavior and are only applicable to limited data sets (Dragori & Straddon, 1999). However, for the purpose of this document we will be using information found in our text book “Psychology” 6th edition as well as articles found in the school library.
According to our text book Psychology, “operant conditioning is learning that results when as organism associates a response that occurs spontaneously with a particular environmental effect; also known as instrumental conditioning” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). “Operants are behaviors that are emitted by the organism rather than elicited by the environment” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). The term operant conditioning was coined by B.F. Skinner in 1937 (Staddon & Cerutti, 2003). The basic assumption behind Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning is that behavior is controlled by consequences whether negative or positive such as reinforcement, punishment and extinction.
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning also known as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning is the first type of learning studied systematically by Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov suggests that this form of learning is a procedure by which a previous neutral stimulus comes to elicit a response once it is a type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that was previously evoked by a separate stimulus (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5).
Pavlovian conditioning is clearly defined by its method, which involves maintaining control over the presentation of the stimuli (McSweeney & Murphy, 2014).
With this being said, one of the most famous studies conducted by Ivan Pavlov was his study on the digestive system of dogs. During this study Ivan discovered that dogs will most often salivate when presented with food, which is known as a simple reflex (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). Moreover, he noticed that when a dog was presented or introduced to a stimulus such as a ringing bell simultaneously with being fed, the dog would begin to salivate when he heard the bell even if food was not present when the bell was rang (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). This formed the conclusion, that the dog had associated the bell with food, and because food produced a reflex of salivation from the dog, the bell then also produced a reflex (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter …show more content…
5).
Methods of classical conditioning are as follows. First there is unconditional reflex which is a natural reflex that occurs without an individual being taught and is produced by an unconditioned stimulus (UCS). A UCS activates a reflexive response known as an unconditioned response (UCR), which is a response that also does not previously need to be learned. Then there is conditioned response (CR) which is a response that an individual/animal produces because of prior learning. Just as a CR is based on prior learning, a conditioned stimulus (CS) is a stimulus that, through learning it evokes a conditioned response (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). These models of classical conditioning lead us into better understanding phobias and also addictions.
Phobias
Phobias are uncontrollable fears of a given object or various situations that can develop through conditioning as well as a variety of other ways.
However for the sake of this paper we are going to focus strictly on how classical conditioning plays a role in acquiring a phobia through classical conditioning. An example of a formed phobia is the experiment conducted by John Watson and his colleague, Rosalie Rayner, known as the Little Albert. Little Albert formed a phobia of white rats as a result of pairing the white rats (as well as other white fury objects) with loud banging sounds simultaneously as the white rat was visually introduced (Northern Illinois University,
2003).
Phobias can be acquired through classical conditioning when a neutral stimulus is paired with something that causes the organism pain and can be permanent unless the organism is later subjected to the extinction process (Northern Illinois University, 2003). The extinction process is when the organism faces the fear without the presence of the UCS or through counter conditioning (Northern Illinois University, 2003). Counter conditioning is when the CS is paired with a more pleasant stimulus, which will then evoke one response with an opposite response, so that the stimulus now can evoke a new response that subsidizes the person’s fear of the object or behavior (Behavenet, 2014).
Addictions
Addiction is a condition in which the body craves and needs a specific drug in order to avoid physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. How are behaviors like addiction related to operant conditioning? Operant conditioning, as said before, is the second learning principle and it occurs due to the cause and effect relationship between a behavior and its reward or consequence (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). With this being said, a substance should only become addictive if the punishment is not strong enough or if the reward of doing the substance is rewarding or pleasurable (Horvath, Ph. D., 2014). This concludes that substance addictions are sustainable, because the individual doing the substance initially finds pleasure, and/or enjoyment while doing the substance. Hence, an individual is rewarded by the pleasure given from the drug which is the relationship between operant conditioning and addiction.
Keeping this in mind, according to The Horvath, Ph. D. (2014) website punishment also plays a role in the development of an addiction. For instance, if an individual receives a significant punishment in the early stages of developing an addiction, than that person is less likely to continue using the substance, which could possibly, eliminate the addiction or reduce the effects of the addiction. Operant conditioning also has played key roles in treating addiction. Remember operant conditioning occurs due to the cause and effect relationship between a behavior and its reward or consequence. When using operant conditioning as a treatment for addiction the basic idea is to reward an individual for making better, healthier and recovery-oriented choices (Horvath, Ph. D., 2014).
Throughout we have discussed classical and operant conditioning. Further, we have discussed how phobias are developed through classical conditioning and how addictions can be developed through operant conditioning. Moreover, this paper explained the differences between classical and operant conditioning as well as provided an explanation as to what extinction means, and how it is achieved in both classical and operant conditioning.
.
References
BehaveNet. (2014). Retrieved from http://behavenet.com/counter-conditioning
Dragori, V., & Straddon, J. E. R. (1999, January). The dynamics of operant conditioning. Psychological Review, 106(1), 20-61. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/10.1037/0033-295X.106.1.20
Horvath, Ph. D., A. T. (2014). Seven Counties Services, Inc.. Retrieved from http://sevencounties.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=48410&cn=1408
Kowalski, H., & Westen, D. (2011). Psychology (6th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.
McSweeney, J. E. R., & Murphy, E. S. (2014). The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Operant and Classical Conditioning . West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons. Northern Illinois University. (2003). NIU Education. Retrieved from http://www3.niu.edu/acad/psych/Millis/History/2003/phobias.htm
Staddon, J. E. R., & Cerutti, D. T. (2003, February). Operant Conditioning. Annual Review of Psychology, 54(1), 115 - 144. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/
PSY/300
Bonnie Johnson
09/22/2014
Phobias and Addictions
Phobias and addictions are two emotional difficulties that people throughout the world suffer from. Herein we will explore these emotional difficulties as they relate to classical and operant conditioning. More precisely, how phobias can be developed through classical conditioning and how addictions can be developed through operant conditioning. Moreover, this paper will distinguish between classical and operant conditioning as well as provide an explanation to what extinction means, and how it is achieved in both classical and operant conditioning. However, prior to giving an explanation for these …show more content…
topics we must first understand both operant and classical conditioning in their general sense.
Operant Conditioning
According to an article I found models of operant conditioning are relatively insensitive to those from the past in relation to behavior and are only applicable to limited data sets (Dragori & Straddon, 1999). However, for the purpose of this document we will be using information found in our text book “Psychology” 6th edition as well as articles found in the school library.
According to our text book Psychology, “operant conditioning is learning that results when as organism associates a response that occurs spontaneously with a particular environmental effect; also known as instrumental conditioning” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). “Operants are behaviors that are emitted by the organism rather than elicited by the environment” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). The term operant conditioning was coined by B.F. Skinner in 1937 (Staddon & Cerutti, 2003). The basic assumption behind Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning is that behavior is controlled by consequences whether negative or positive such as reinforcement, punishment and extinction.
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning also known as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning is the first type of learning studied systematically by Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov suggests that this form of learning is a procedure by which a previous neutral stimulus comes to elicit a response once it is a type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that was previously evoked by a separate stimulus (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5).
Pavlovian conditioning is clearly defined by its method, which involves maintaining control over the presentation of the stimuli (McSweeney & Murphy, 2014).
With this being said, one of the most famous studies conducted by Ivan Pavlov was his study on the digestive system of dogs. During this study Ivan discovered that dogs will most often salivate when presented with food, which is known as a simple reflex (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). Moreover, he noticed that when a dog was presented or introduced to a stimulus such as a ringing bell simultaneously with being fed, the dog would begin to salivate when he heard the bell even if food was not present when the bell was rang (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). This formed the conclusion, that the dog had associated the bell with food, and because food produced a reflex of salivation from the dog, the bell then also produced a reflex (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter …show more content…
5).
Methods of classical conditioning are as follows. First there is unconditional reflex which is a natural reflex that occurs without an individual being taught and is produced by an unconditioned stimulus (UCS). A UCS activates a reflexive response known as an unconditioned response (UCR), which is a response that also does not previously need to be learned. Then there is conditioned response (CR) which is a response that an individual/animal produces because of prior learning. Just as a CR is based on prior learning, a conditioned stimulus (CS) is a stimulus that, through learning it evokes a conditioned response (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). These models of classical conditioning lead us into better understanding phobias and also addictions.
Phobias
Phobias are uncontrollable fears of a given object or various situations that can develop through conditioning as well as a variety of other ways.
However for the sake of this paper we are going to focus strictly on how classical conditioning plays a role in acquiring a phobia through classical conditioning. An example of a formed phobia is the experiment conducted by John Watson and his colleague, Rosalie Rayner, known as the Little Albert. Little Albert formed a phobia of white rats as a result of pairing the white rats (as well as other white fury objects) with loud banging sounds simultaneously as the white rat was visually introduced (Northern Illinois University,
2003).
Phobias can be acquired through classical conditioning when a neutral stimulus is paired with something that causes the organism pain and can be permanent unless the organism is later subjected to the extinction process (Northern Illinois University, 2003). The extinction process is when the organism faces the fear without the presence of the UCS or through counter conditioning (Northern Illinois University, 2003). Counter conditioning is when the CS is paired with a more pleasant stimulus, which will then evoke one response with an opposite response, so that the stimulus now can evoke a new response that subsidizes the person’s fear of the object or behavior (Behavenet, 2014).
Addictions
Addiction is a condition in which the body craves and needs a specific drug in order to avoid physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. How are behaviors like addiction related to operant conditioning? Operant conditioning, as said before, is the second learning principle and it occurs due to the cause and effect relationship between a behavior and its reward or consequence (Kowalski & Westen, 2011, Chapter 5). With this being said, a substance should only become addictive if the punishment is not strong enough or if the reward of doing the substance is rewarding or pleasurable (Horvath, Ph. D., 2014). This concludes that substance addictions are sustainable, because the individual doing the substance initially finds pleasure, and/or enjoyment while doing the substance. Hence, an individual is rewarded by the pleasure given from the drug which is the relationship between operant conditioning and addiction.
Keeping this in mind, according to The Horvath, Ph. D. (2014) website punishment also plays a role in the development of an addiction. For instance, if an individual receives a significant punishment in the early stages of developing an addiction, than that person is less likely to continue using the substance, which could possibly, eliminate the addiction or reduce the effects of the addiction. Operant conditioning also has played key roles in treating addiction. Remember operant conditioning occurs due to the cause and effect relationship between a behavior and its reward or consequence. When using operant conditioning as a treatment for addiction the basic idea is to reward an individual for making better, healthier and recovery-oriented choices (Horvath, Ph. D., 2014).
Throughout we have discussed classical and operant conditioning. Further, we have discussed how phobias are developed through classical conditioning and how addictions can be developed through operant conditioning. Moreover, this paper explained the differences between classical and operant conditioning as well as provided an explanation as to what extinction means, and how it is achieved in both classical and operant conditioning.
.
References
BehaveNet. (2014). Retrieved from http://behavenet.com/counter-conditioning
Dragori, V., & Straddon, J. E. R. (1999, January). The dynamics of operant conditioning. Psychological Review, 106(1), 20-61. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/10.1037/0033-295X.106.1.20
Horvath, Ph. D., A. T. (2014). Seven Counties Services, Inc.. Retrieved from http://sevencounties.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=48410&cn=1408
Kowalski, H., & Westen, D. (2011). Psychology (6th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.
McSweeney, J. E. R., & Murphy, E. S. (2014). The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Operant and Classical Conditioning . West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons. Northern Illinois University. (2003). NIU Education. Retrieved from http://www3.niu.edu/acad/psych/Millis/History/2003/phobias.htm
Staddon, J. E. R., & Cerutti, D. T. (2003, February). Operant Conditioning. Annual Review of Psychology, 54(1), 115 - 144. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/