Question

For each of the scenarios given, indicate whether Classical Conditioning principles or Operant (Instrumental) Conditioning principles are involved (by underlining the appropriate theory). Then identify the components of the theory using the blank spaces provided under that theory. Two examples have been completed for you (with descriptions of the reasoning process behind the answers) to clarify the suggested process.

Note: Students need only underline the appropriate theory and fill in the related components-no description of reasoning is required. Of the six scenarios to be completed, three illustrate Classical Conditioning and three illustrate Operant (Instrumental) Conditioning.
1. Bob has three children, and he likes to rent movies for the whole family to watch.
When he sees the sign for the Video Department while shopping at the grocery store, he wanders in to see what new videos they have and ends up renting one. He has a store customer card, so every tenth video rental is free. He is much too busy to keep track of how many rentals he has to date, but he is pleasantly surprised when he is told that the video he is renting will be free of charge. In the future, he will rent more videos there at the grocery store, rather than at the chain video rental place they sometimes use.
Operant Conditioning
Classical Conditioning
Behavior: ____________________
Consequence: ____________________
Expected Change: ____________________
Unconditioned Stimulus: _________________
Neutral/Conditioned Stim.: _______________
Uncon./Condi. Response: __________________
2. Whenever Richard hears the nostalgic music that plays in the background of the Charge Cola ad, it makes him remember his buddies from high school and some of the good times he had with them. When he goes to the grocery store to do the shopping for his family, he scans the soda aisle and then chooses Charge Cola rather than all the other similar sodas; he just feels best about the Charge Cola brand.
Operant Conditioning
Classical Conditioning
Behavior: ____________________
Consequence: ____________________
Expected Change: ____________________
Unconditioned Stimulus: _________________
Neutral/Conditioned Stim.: _______________
Uncon./Condi. Response: __________________
3.Shelly loves the commercial for Cloud tissues, because she really likes seeing the fuzzy little puppies in the ad romping around. At the drug store, she never considers another brand of tissue- she just assumes that Cloud is the softest brand.
Operant Conditioning
Classical Conditioning
Behavior: ____________________
Consequence: ____________________
Expected Change: ____________________
Unconditioned Stimulus: _________________
Neutral/Conditioned Stim.: _______________
Uncon./Condi. Response: __________________

Answer 1

1. Operant conditioning
2. Classical conditioning
3. Classical conditioning

Step-by-step explanation:

1) Bob has three children, and he likes to rent movies for the whole family to watch.

This is an Operant conditioning

Behavior : Renting a new movie after seeing the video department for free

Consequence : He is pleasantly surprised

Expected Change : Renting more movie at the grocery store instead of the chain store

2) Whenever Richard hears the nostalgic music that plays in the background of the Charge Cola ad

This is Classical conditioning

Unconditioned Stimulus: Buying of Charge Cola

Neutral/Conditioned Stim.: effect of hearing the Nostalgic music

Uncon./Condi. Response: Always searching for Charge Cola when he goes shopping at the grocery store

3) Shelly loves the commercial for Cloud tissues,

This is a classical conditioning

Unconditioned Stimulus: Buying of cloud tissue

Neutral/Conditioned Stim.: effect of seeing Fuzzy puppies in the ad

Uncon./Condi. Response: Believes Cloud is the softest brand