What two types of conditioning are central to the Behaviorist Approach?

The Behaviorist Approach in psychology primarily focuses on observable behaviors and the ways in which they can be learned or modified through interactions with the environment. Two fundamental types of conditioning central to this approach are classical conditioning and operant conditioning.

Classical conditioning, originally demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov, involves learning through association. In this process, a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response. For example, Pavlov's dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell when it was consistently paired with the presentation of food.

Operant conditioning, introduced by B.F. Skinner, revolves around the idea that behaviors can be shaped through reinforcement (which increases the likelihood of a behavior) or punishment (which decreases the likelihood of a behavior). This approach emphasizes how consequences of actions influence future behavior, highlighting the significance of rewards and punishments in the learning process.

Both classical and operant conditioning are foundational to the Behaviorist Approach, illustrating how environmental stimuli and responses shape behavior without the need for introspection or consideration of internal thoughts and feelings.