Applying Learning Processes to Human Behavior & Learning
Theories to Knowledge Acquisition, Retention, and Transfer - Task 1
Gretchen Pittendrigh
Western Governors University
D566: Psychology of Learning Theories
Dr. Jessilon Madison
A. Classical Conditioning
, One aspect of classical conditioning that comes to mind in my own life is my
coffee habit. In careful observation, I realize that it is a form of classical
conditioning that has remained with me since my childhood. When my father
had his coffee every morning, my mother gave us a coffee-type drink that
contained mostly warm milk and sugar with a small amount of coffee in it.
The sugar was sweet, and the warm drink was enjoyable, and having coffee
with my father was a morning routine I looked forward to if I got up in time
before he left for work (Western Governors University, n.d.).
As I got older, my coffee contained less milk and sugar, and more coffee but
still remained a reward and motivation for getting myself out of bed in the
morning. I learned it is a social activity that I can share with many others. My
body became used to the stimulant activation of the caffeine, and I grew to
anticipate more than just the flavor of the coffee, but the physical ‘perks’ of
the caffeine. If coffee is not available to me, I am often plagued with fatigue,
brain-fog, and anxiety. In this manner, I have learned to limit my coffee
consumption to 1 cup daily, Nevertheless, I continue to associate my early
mornings with the hot drink and quiet moment before I start the day
(Western Governors University, n.d.).
My coffee drinking is an example of Classical Conditioning as described by
Pavlov and Watson because it was a regular relationship of two stimuli;
Coffee (reward) upon waking (action) that produced behavioral and physical
changes in me over time (Western Governors University, n.d.). These
behavioral changes are craving it in association with waking up in the
morning and quiet moments before starting the day. Physical changes would
be the physical urges associated with drinking it, as well as the fatigue and
brain-fog and stress I experience when I don’t. This is Classical Conditioning
(Schunk, 2019) (Western Governors University, n.d.).
B. Operational Conditioning
Operational Conditioning could be displayed in learning to do your chores in
a timely manner. If a chore such as doing the dishes is done promptly after a
meal, then there could be free time to watch television or play a game
afterward. This would be a positive reinforcement or reward (Western
Governors University, n.d.).
If dishes are left in the sink, they will have to be done in the morning after
sitting overnight or there will be no clean dishes to eat from, adding an extra
task to their next day. A person would complete the chore to avoid these
Theories to Knowledge Acquisition, Retention, and Transfer - Task 1
Gretchen Pittendrigh
Western Governors University
D566: Psychology of Learning Theories
Dr. Jessilon Madison
A. Classical Conditioning
, One aspect of classical conditioning that comes to mind in my own life is my
coffee habit. In careful observation, I realize that it is a form of classical
conditioning that has remained with me since my childhood. When my father
had his coffee every morning, my mother gave us a coffee-type drink that
contained mostly warm milk and sugar with a small amount of coffee in it.
The sugar was sweet, and the warm drink was enjoyable, and having coffee
with my father was a morning routine I looked forward to if I got up in time
before he left for work (Western Governors University, n.d.).
As I got older, my coffee contained less milk and sugar, and more coffee but
still remained a reward and motivation for getting myself out of bed in the
morning. I learned it is a social activity that I can share with many others. My
body became used to the stimulant activation of the caffeine, and I grew to
anticipate more than just the flavor of the coffee, but the physical ‘perks’ of
the caffeine. If coffee is not available to me, I am often plagued with fatigue,
brain-fog, and anxiety. In this manner, I have learned to limit my coffee
consumption to 1 cup daily, Nevertheless, I continue to associate my early
mornings with the hot drink and quiet moment before I start the day
(Western Governors University, n.d.).
My coffee drinking is an example of Classical Conditioning as described by
Pavlov and Watson because it was a regular relationship of two stimuli;
Coffee (reward) upon waking (action) that produced behavioral and physical
changes in me over time (Western Governors University, n.d.). These
behavioral changes are craving it in association with waking up in the
morning and quiet moments before starting the day. Physical changes would
be the physical urges associated with drinking it, as well as the fatigue and
brain-fog and stress I experience when I don’t. This is Classical Conditioning
(Schunk, 2019) (Western Governors University, n.d.).
B. Operational Conditioning
Operational Conditioning could be displayed in learning to do your chores in
a timely manner. If a chore such as doing the dishes is done promptly after a
meal, then there could be free time to watch television or play a game
afterward. This would be a positive reinforcement or reward (Western
Governors University, n.d.).
If dishes are left in the sink, they will have to be done in the morning after
sitting overnight or there will be no clean dishes to eat from, adding an extra
task to their next day. A person would complete the chore to avoid these
