What is the difference between operant and classical conditioning?

Both these types of conditioning use a behaviourist approach - this assumes that all behaviour is learned. Classical conditioning is learning through associating stimuli with each other e.g. After their food was presented with the ringing of a bell, Pavlov's dogs salivated when hearing a bell ring, even when no food was presented. The dogs had learned that the bell signalled their food being given to them. Operant conditioning is about the reward and punishment of a behaviour. If an individual is punished for a behaviour, they are less likely to do it in the future. If a behaviour is rewarded, we are more likely to carry out the action more frequently.