Final answer:
Classical conditioning is a foundational concept in human psychology that demonstrates how learned associations between stimuli can affect behavior. Operant conditioning builds on this by showing how behavior can be modified through rewards and punishments. These learning processes form the basis of behaviorist approaches in psychology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Classical conditioning relates to human psychology by showing how behavior can be influenced by learned associations. This type of learning occurs when a naturally occurring stimulus is paired with a neutral stimulus. After repeated pairings, the neutral stimulus begins to elicit a response that was originally elicited by the natural stimulus alone. For example, if a flash of lightning (natural stimulus) is followed by a loud thunder (unconditioned stimulus) that causes a person to jump (unconditioned response), over time, the person might start to jump at just the flash of lightning (now a conditioned stimulus) before even hearing the thunder, displaying a conditioned response.
Operant conditioning, also an important concept in human psychology, differs from classical conditioning in that it involves behavior changes through the use of rewards and punishments. B.F. Skinner, a major proponent of operant conditioning, demonstrated that animals will modify their behavior based on a system of reinforcement. These principles are widely applied in behavior modification techniques in humans, reflecting the importance of consequences in shaping behavioral patterns.
Both classical and operant conditioning are central to the behaviorist perspective, which posits that behaviors, including actions, thoughts, and emotions, can be understood, analyzed, and modified according to principles of learning and environmental interactions.