How does operant conditioning differ from classical conditioning in animals?

In the study of animal learning, classical and operant conditioning are two distinct forms of associative learning that differ primarily in the nature of the animal's response and the role of reinforcement.12

Classical Conditioning

Also known as respondent conditioning, this process involves involuntary and reflexive responses to stimuli. Based on the work of Ivan Pavlov, an animal learns to associate a neutral stimulus (such as a bell) with a biologically significant stimulus (such as food). Over time, the neutral stimulus alone elicits a response—such as salivation—that was originally triggered only by the biological stimulus.312

Operant Conditioning

Also called instrumental conditioning, this method involves voluntary behaviors where the animal learns to perform or avoid an action to obtain a specific result. Pioneered by Edward L. Thorndike and later formalized by B.F. Skinner, this conditioning relies on consequences. Reinforcement (a reward) or punishment is provided only after the animal executes a specific behavioral act.31

The fundamental distinction is that classical conditioning links two stimuli to elicit an involuntary reaction, whereas operant conditioning links a voluntary behavior to a consequence to increase or decrease the frequency of that behavior.3