Classical Conditioning – The type of learning in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke the response initially evoked by another stimulus◦ an item creates a response it wouldn’t normally

cause through pairing

Introduction Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=znAzMkn5Ey0

Ivan Pavlov Conducted research on digestion, specifically role

of saliva in digestion process of dogs.

Pavlov presented meat (powder) to dogs, preceded by a clicking sound to alert them of the food.

Over time, dogs salivated in response to clicking sound.

Pavlov further investigated phenomenon:

Presented meat with a tone (bell)

After several pairings, he presented bell alone to dogs◦ What happened?

What is the significance of his research?

1.) Unconditioned Stimulus (US)- The stimulus that evokes a natural response.◦ Pavlov Ex.)

2.) Unconditioned Response (UR)- The natural reaction to the unconditioned stimulus.◦ Pavlov Ex.)

3.) Conditioned Stimulus (CS)- Previously neutral stimulus that, through conditioning, evokes conditioned response.◦ Pavlov Ex.)

4.) Conditioned Response (CR)- Learned reaction to conditioned stimulus that occurs because of previous conditioning

***Usually the same as UR*******◦ Pavlov Ex.)

Trials- Presentations of the stimuli (US and CS) together◦ Pavlov Ex.)

◦ The Office Ex.)

Number of trials needed for classical conditioning to occur varies

“The Office”

US-

UR-

CS-

CR-

Shower Example

US-

UR-

CS-

CR-

Many of our phobias and fears are direct result of classical conditioning

Examples:◦ Bridge Phobia◦ Taco Bell

◦ Class Examples

May be conditioned to associate stimulus with positive feelings

Examples:◦ Cotton candy ice cream

Classical conditioning could even play a role in sexual arousal

Example:◦ Seinfeld clip◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLKhJnKrf9M

1.) Acquisition- This term refers to the learning of the conditioned response

2.) Extinction – This refers to a gradual weakening and disappearance of conditioned response◦ How does this usually occur?

3.) Spontaneous Recovery- After extinction, a response may spontaneously reappear.

Real World Examples:

Stimulus Generalization – An organism that has learned a response to a specific stimuli responds in same way to stimuli that are similar to original stimulus.◦ Clown Example

John B. Watson study◦ “Little Albert”- 11 month old

Conditioned to fear bunnies

Class examples, if time permits