BCA – 2ND SEMESTER
ORGANIZATION BEHAVIOUR
PAPER CODE: MIM201A
Module – 2: LEARNING THEORIES
1. What do you mean by classical conditioning.
Ans. Classical conditioning is the process through which individual learns and reflects their
behaviour. Reflect is an automatic response which is not under individual’s conscious control.
2. Briefly discuss about the classical conditioning theory propounded by Pavlov.
Ans. Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov developed classical conditioning theory. When he was
doing research on the salivation of dog, he noticed accidentally that the dog started salivating
the moment hearing the sound of a door. Based on this observation, he was decided to do an
experiment in a step-by-step process. These steps are as follows:
Step:1: -
When Pavlov presented the dog with a piece of meat, the dog started to increase its salivation.
The meat is unconditional stimulus and salivation is unconditional response.
Step:2: -
In this step, the dog was not given a piece of meat but only heard a sound of ringing bell. Here,
the dog did not salivate after listening the sound of a ringing bell.
Step:3: -
Pavlov decided to link both the presentation of meat and the ringing of a bell one after another
with an interval of 5 minutes. After repeatedly hearing the bell before getting the meat, the dog
began to salivate as soon the bell rang. There is a link between meat and ringing bell. After
repeating the link between meat and ringing a bell, the dog started salivating even if no food
was offered. The dog is now conditioned to respond to a sound of a bell and started salivating.
This is called classical conditioning theory.
Thus, classical conditioning theory is defined as Stimulus-Response link or habit between a
conditional stimulus and a conditional response through the repeated link of conditional
stimulus with an unconditional stimulus.
3. What do you mean by operant conditioning.
Ans. Operant conditioning focuses on voluntary or learned behaviour that leads to a reward or
prevent a punishment. According to operant conditioning theory, learning occurs because of
the consequences that follows the behaviour.
4. Briefly discuss about the operant conditioning theory propounded by Skinner.
Ans. Operant conditioning theory is proposed by B. F. Skinner, an American psychologist.
Skinner developed a particular thing to conduct a series of learning experiment using rats. He
named that thing as Skinner’s Box which has certain features like a lever, bowl, light, water
container, etc. A highly deprived rat is placed in the box. Once the rat touches the lever attached
in the corner of the box, a piece of food is dropped in the bowl. By trial and error, the rat learns
that hitting the lever is followed by getting a food in the bowl. Skinner shown the term operant
response to any behavioural act like pressing or hitting the lever that has some effect on the
environment.
5. What do you mean by cognitive learning theory.
Ans. Cognitive theory of learning works on the principle that there is environment around us
and there are many things placed in the environment. Each of the things placed in the
environment has got its own identity. This thing not related to one another. It is our thought
process through which we co-relate things together and create a mental image based on
environmental hints.
6. Briefly discuss about the cognitive learning theory propounded by Kohler.
Ans. Based on the concept, cognitive learning theory argues that the person tries to form his
cognitive structure in memory, which preserves and organises all information relating to the
events that may occur in learning situation. Here, an experiment was conducted by Kohler on
a monkey. Kohler presented two sticks to a monkey in a cage. Both sticks were too short to
reach a banana outside cage. This produced an experience or cognition insight monkey.
Monkey was joined both sticks together and pulled the banana inside the cage. Thus, the
learning process involved in this case is organising few information in a new manner
perceived inside the mind.
7. Distinguish between classical conditioning theory and operant conditioning
theory in learning.
Ans. The difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning theory are
shown in the following table:
Basis Classical Conditioning Theory Operant Conditioning Theory
Classical conditioning is the Operant conditioning focuses on the
Meaning process through which individual voluntary behaviour that leads to a
learns and reflects their behaviour. reward or prevent a punishment.
This theory is developed by Ivan This theory is developed by B. F.
Developer
Pavlov. Skinner.
Response Response is controlled by Stimulus. Response is controlled by organism.
Conditional and unconditional Conditional stimulus is not well
Stimulus
stimulus are well defined. defined.
Application
It is applied in Simple learning. It is applied in complex learning.
in Learning
8. Distinguish between reinforcement and punishment in operant learning.
Ans. The difference between reinforcement and punishment in operant learning theory are
shown in the following table:
Basis Classical Conditioning Theory Operant Conditioning Theory
Reinforcement implies the process Punishment indicates the act of
Meaning of supporting or promoting a penalising something of value to
pattern of behaviour. reduce an undesirable behaviour.
Nature of
It is enthusiastic outcome. It is aversive outcome.
Outcome
Response Its response is strength. Its response is weakness.
It increases the probability of It decreases the probability of
Consequences
behaviour. behaviour.
It helps to gain of desirable It helps to impose unpleasant stimulus
Encompasses
stimulus. and withdrawal of pleasant one.
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