Classical and Operant Conditioning: A Contrast. Clearly explains both forms of conditioning and contrasts the two.

Though classical conditioning and operant conditioning are both techniques involving learning and the acquisition of behaviors, they have contrasting--but sometimes complementary-- ways of training. However, with pioneers in each conditioning practice believing in the general principle, "Psychology should be based on experimental investigation of behaviors," the two fields often intersect. Classical conditioning was brought to the forefront of psychology via Ivan Pavlov's experiments with dogs. His theory suggested that an organism could learn to associate …

…for the reinforcement, and is punished for not responding or responding counter-accordingly. Classical conditioning applies to a behavior that is always encouraged in one way or another: there is always a positive or a negative reinforcement. No punishment, as in operant conditioning, is applicable in classical conditioning. While similar and different simultaneously, both classical and operant conditioning prove to be rather reliable ways in encouraging or discouraging an organism into learning a behavior or response.