remains constant while the stimuli vary, as in Pavilovian
experiment. In contrast, in operant or instrumental
conditioning, response is controlled. The term
"operant" signifies a behavior which is guided by an
anticipated result. Thus, operant conditioning entails the
"creation of built-in responses a result of systematic
reinforcement. Conditioning is important in socialization
in that through classical conditioning children learn to
respond to various social and man-made stimuli; and
through operant conditioning, they learn to inhibit certain
response and adopt others as habitual.
Identity Taking: Studies show that children begin to
identify themselves and others by sex and learn to
behave in the normative gendered ways according to
the society of which they parts. This happens by age
five. Researchers of socialization believe that sex-type
behavior emerges through operant conditioning.
However, it is not the case that conditioning alone
accounts for sex-differences in behavior, although the
individuals take their identity of maleness and
femaleness through approval and disapproval as well as
reward and punishment. As their linguistic and cognitive