Classical and Operant Conditioning are two every key tools in rehabilitating the insane people in insane asylums. Examples of both types are evident in the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. In the novel shock therapy in refereed to many times. It is used when a patient needs correction when regular method are not working. They are strapped to a table and shock until they have corrected there behavior.
Shock therapy can be both operant and classical conditioning. While it can be used for associating a behavior with a painful shock, it can also be used for punishment and threats. For instance a nurse could say if you dont stop goofing around we will bring yo to the shock room.
Harding in the novel states to McMurphy that the chief has been shocked over 400 times. Because of this, the chief is now terrified of the shaving room because being tied down on a chair with the vibrating shaver reminds him of being shocked over and over again. Conditioning works by associating certain feelings with behavior to correct it. However now when ever the chief feels the metal rubbing across his head he think about being shocked and it scares him.
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