Hi Tipsters,
I need some clarification on the distinction between
Classical and Operant conditioning (in light of what I am reading).
I'm prepping a class with a text entitled, "Criminal Behavior: A
Psychosocial Approach", by Curt and Anne Bartol. On pp. 107-108, they
discuss Eysenck's theory of personality, and how it relates to criminal
behavior. There is a section on p. 109 where they mention that Eysenck
considered a certain type of learning as classical, but as far as I
know, the examples given fall uner Operant learning.
Here's what I'm talking about:
"To explain why more people do not become criminal, Eysenck contends
that classical conditioning has a stronger effect on most people than
instrumental learning. That is, most people behave themselves because
they have been classically conditioned during childhood about the rules
of society. That guiding light, superego, conscience, or whatever it is
that makes us feel uncomfortable before, during, and after a socially
and morally disapproved act is, according to Eysenck, a conditioned
reflex. He notes that in most families children are reprimanded or
punished for behavior that is against the social mores. Immediately
after engaging in a socially or morally frowned-on act, say, punching a
friend, a child finds that punishment quickly follows".
In the last paragraph, the authors go on, after describing Pavlov's
experiment with dog: " Eysenck asserts that basically the same sequence
occurs in childhood - inappropriate behavior followed by reprimand.
[...] In essence, by punishing antisocial behavior numerous times,
parents, teachers, and others concerned with the upbringing of the
child, including his or her peers, perform the role of the Pavlovian
experimenter".
Now, I have to admit I am confused by what appears to me to be a mixing
up of the two types of learning.
Any comments on this one Dr. Black? Or Dr. McKelvie, whom if I remember
well,knows much about Hans Eysenck?
Any enlighting thoughts welcome...
Cheers!
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