Which statement correctly captures the timing difference between classical and operant conditioning?
ABoth place the consequence after the response being learned
BIn classical conditioning the stimulus comes before the response
CIn classical conditioning the stimulus comes after the response
DBoth place the stimulus before the response that is learned
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. In classical conditioning the stimulus comes before the response
1. The chapter's comparison table separates the two forms of conditioning by when the key stimulus occurs.
2. In classical conditioning the stimulus occurs immediately before the response; the neutral stimulus is presented just before the unconditioned stimulus that triggers the reflex.
3. In operant conditioning the stimulus, meaning the reinforcement or punishment, occurs soon after the response.
4. This is why the glossary describes classical conditioning as learning where the experience comes before the behaviour, and operant conditioning as learning where it happens after the behaviour.
5. Options A and D fail because they claim the two forms share the same timing, which is precisely what distinguishes them.
_Source: OpenStax Psychology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Learning", §6.3 Operant Conditioning_
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