Download Classical Conditioning Abstract Presumably, the initial notion we

Classical Conditioning
Abstract
Presumably, the initial notion we have on classical conditioning comprises names like Ivan Pavlov which
refers to his research using dogs. Because of Pavlov’s research, we can give details how an individual
progresses instinctive reactions to particular stimuli. When we talk about classical conditioning, it is
imperative to cite Pavlov as this theory is derived from his studies.
Keywords: classical conditioning, Ivan Pavlov, stimulus, response
Classical Conditioning
The Theory of Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning was derived via the study conducted by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian psychologist. A
native of Russia, Pavlov initially attempted to pursue in his father’s path by being a priest. Yet, he
changed his mind and learned physiology. It is attested to be an intelligent option, because presently,
studies on the physiology of digestion warranted the Noble Prize. Pavlov led a study on the canine
digestive system by utilizing data from dog’s salivation; on these studies, he unintentionally learned that
particular behaviors can be conditioned (Riskind, & Manos). Before, it was only presumed that an
individual’s response was owing to complex subjective procedures. Pavlov learned that a lot of an
individual’s reactions occurred because of previous experiences, similar to the dogs reactions in the
study. He obtained this significant information by showing a piece of meat to the dogs that would drool
prior to becoming aware of the meat. It appeared to Pavlov that the dogs were conditioned and
discovered by the laboratory associate, who was frequently assigned to bring the meat. Pavlov started
to study it more and tried to observe if, for example, intense lighting or sound will make the dog drool.
Certainly, the dog did not. On the following occurrence, Pavlov rang a loud sound and did not offer the
dog meat. He replicated this process a couple of times, and as it occurred, the dog salivated. In the next
stage, only the sound was presented and not the meat. The dogs still drooled because they presumed
that meat will be given as well. Almost certainly, this was the first research in classical conditioning
(Martinez, 2010).
To further evaluate this, we can assume that neutral stimulus (NS) is initially presented prior to the
object that triggers the reaction. The next stimulus is called unconditioned stimulus (UCS) and the
reaction per se is called unconditioned response (UCR). It is referred to as UCR as an individual does not
need to learn with the purpose of reacting. The NS is a conditioned stimulus (CS) where an individual has
developed a conditioned response (CR) (Olson & Hergenhahn).
Sample Setting
My kids were requesting for a dog lately but I knew they were not prepared for it. It entails several
responsibilities, like teaching it how to understand and follow rules, as well as potty-training. As we are
relocate to Hawaii and have a new house, my partner and I think that it is probably the time to have a
dog. My major worry is that someone might break into our house and take the dog. Thus, it is just right
to learn first how to condition its behavior and understand some instructions like sit, stay, come, fetch,
etc, as well as in cases when someone breaks in to the house.
Description of the selected Scenario
As soon as we get our pet, the initial trick that I will teach is sitting. I choose to use finger-snapping to
teach the pet how to do this. When I ask him to sit, I will as well snap my fingers, and when he does this,
I will gift him with dog food. I will do this continuously until he becomes an expert on this. Eventually, I
will just snap my fingers and the pet will presume that I will offer dog food. In this example, fingersnapping is the neutral stimulus where the puppy will not do anything. Nevertheless, when the neutral
stimulus is coupled with another object, for example dog food, that will really trigger the pet to sit. Thus,
for the following stimulus, the dog food is the unconditioned stimulus and the response is
unconditioned as it did not need any former learning. When the finger-snapping is coupled with dog
food, it triggers the pet to sit. This transforms the former neutral stimulus (finger-snapping) to a
conditioned stimulus; because the pet sits whenever my fingers are snapped, the reaction is also
conditioned. Because the pet had the ability to learn to sit with this method, I will try to use the same
technique in teaching how to do several other actions, like shaking hands, and change behavior in case
our house will be broken in.
Chart of Scenario
Chart 1
Teaching how to sit
Phase
1
2
3
4
Stimulus
Dog food (UCS)
Snap fingers (NS)
Snap fingers (NS) then dog
food (UCS)
Snap fingers (CS)
Response
Dog sits down (UCR)
Dog does nothing (No
Conditioned Response)
Dog sits down (UCR)
Dog sits down (CR)
References
Alloy, L., B., Riskind, J., H. & Manos, M., J. (2005). Abnormal psychology: Current perspectives (9th. ed.).
New York, NY: The McGraw-Hills Companies Inc.
Martinez, M., E. (2010). Learning and cognition: The design of the mind. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Education Inc.
Olson, M., H. & Hergenhahn, B., R. (2009). An Introduction to theories of learning. (8th. Ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.