- Establish the Unconditioned Stimulus (US): Identify a naturally occurring stimulus that triggers an automatic response (unconditioned response or UR) without any prior learning.
- Introduce the Neutral Stimulus (NS): Introduce a neutral stimulus that, on its own, does not elicit the desired behavior.
- Pair the US with the NS: Repeatedly present the neutral stimulus (NS) in close temporal proximity to the unconditioned stimulus (US), so that the NS becomes associated with the US.
- Develop the Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Over time, the neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus (CS), which now elicits a similar response (conditioned response or CR) even without the presence of the unconditioned stimulus.
Operant Conditioning
- Reinforce Desirable Behaviors: Provide positive consequences (rewards or reinforcers) immediately following the desired behavior to increase its occurrence in the future.
- Punish Undesirable Behaviors: Deliver negative consequences (punishment) immediately after the unwanted behavior to decrease its future occurrence.
- Shape Complex Behaviors: Use shaping, a gradual process of reinforcing successive approximations of the desired behavior until the final complex behavior is achieved.
- Use Schedules of Reinforcement: Use different reinforcement schedules (fixed, variable, or intermittent) to maintain the effectiveness of reinforcement.
- Ensure Consistency and Clarity: Be consistent in your approach to classical and operant conditioning, and make sure the consequences are clear to the individual learning the behavior.