Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

Within psychology there are several types of learning. Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov discovered one type of learning accidentally (Wood, Wood,  & Boyd, 2011). While studying the digestive system of dogs, Pavlov became interested with his observation that the dogs responded to the sight of the experimenter just as they did to food. Thus, classical conditioning was born. While Pavlov first used animals in experiments, it was discovered that classical conditioning principles were evident in many aspects of everyday human behavior (McGraw - Hill, 2011). The classical conditioning method of learning is evident throughout the life span and may be used to create a behavior, such as fear, or erase a previously learned behavior, such as addiction.

Classical Conditioning Theory

Classical conditioning is a basic form of associative learning (Malaka, 1999). After Ivan Pavlov made the connection between salivating dogs and the experimenter’s footsteps, he began to study the components of classical conditioning. Pavlov stated that the most important factor was the connection between the stimulus and response. In a basic definition, classical conditioning occurs when a neutral stimulus is paired with another stimulus to elicit the response naturally brought about by the second stimulus. A neutral stimulus brings about a response before conditioning. This response is the response of interest to the experimenter. The main components involved in classical conditioning are the unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, and the conditioned response. An unconditioned stimulus is one in which a response is brought without being learned. A conditioned stimulus is a once neutral stimulus when paired with the unconditioned stimulus brings about the response that was once caused by the unconditioned stimulus. How can one tell if a stimulus is conditioned or unconditioned? A person must consider if the stimulus causes the unconditioned response in every normal human (McGraw - Hill, 2011). The unconditioned response is natural and requires no training. A term associated with the unconditioned response is reflex (Wood, Wood,  & Boyd, 2011). A conditioned response is one that occurs after conditioning following the addition of a neutral stimulus. Pavlov also explained extinction in relation to classical conditioning. Extinction, in this sense, occurs when a conditioned response decreases in frequency and disappears. In order for extinction to occur, the conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus association must end. Also included in classical conditioning theory is spontaneous recovery, stimulus generalization, stimulus discrimination, and higher – order conditioning. Spontaneous recovery explains the “reemergence of an extinguished response after a period of rest and no further conditioning” (McGraw - Hill, 2011, p. 116). Spontaneous recovery explains the reason why some drug addictions are difficult to overcome. Sometimes in classical conditioning the two stimuli are similar or distinct. Stimulus generalization occurs when a conditioned response follows two stimuli that are similar. Generalization is more likely to occur when the two stimuli have a high similarity. Stimulus discrimination occurs when two stimuli are distinct from each other to the point that one stimulus results in a conditioned response but the other does not. Higher – order conditioning occurs when the “conditioned stimuli are linked together and form a series of signals” (Wood, Wood,  & Boyd, 2011, p. 153) . An example of this is the fear of the dentist. The waiting room, dentist chair, and tools may all be stimuli causing the fear.

 Classical Conditioning Scenario

For my scenario, I have chosen to illustrate the dinner routine in my home. We do not have a typical routine as other families. Our dinner routine consists of each child coming to the kitchen, receiving his or her plate, and then sitting at the table to eat. Previously I had to call for the children to come to the kitchen, even if I was within sight. One day I took the plates and utensils out as dinner was finishing and then called the children to the table. After several days of this method, I stopped calling the names and only took the plates and utensils out and sat them on the counter.  The children came to the kitchen upon hearing them placed on the counter. The children had learned to come to the kitchen when I took the plates and utensils out.

Classical Conditioning Chart

            US(calling the children’s name) -> UR(coming for dinner)
            CS(Getting plates and utensils) + US(Calling children’s names) -> UR(coming for dinner)
            CS(Getting plates and utensils out) -> CR(coming for dinner)

Conclusion

Classical conditioning is an important learning tool in a human’s life. This type of learning can be used throughout the life span. Through the use of classical conditioning, a person may be helped through a fear or addiction. Classical conditioning can also cause harmful behaviors in a person. Ivan Pavlov, although accidentally, discovered an important model in the learning process.

References

Malaka, R. (1999). Models of Classical Conditioning. Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, 61(1), 33-83.

McGraw - Hill (2011). Psychsmart. New York, NY: Author.

Wood, S. E., Wood, E. G., & Boyd, D. (2011). The world of psychology (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

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