Classical Conditioning Example Essay Example

again, he observed a salivary response. In the end, Pavlov found that just by ringing the bell, the dogs would salivate in the same way as if they had been presented with food (Girogian, 1974). These experiments established what is known as a "conditioned response".

Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning refers to the type of learning that became well-known through Pavlov's dog experiments.

In an article called "An Animal Owners Guide to Operant and Classical Conditioning", Stacy Braslau explains the experiment conducted by Pavlov. Pavlov observed the salivary response of dogs when presented with food and also introduced the sound of a bell before serving the food. Initially, the dogs only started salivating upon food presentation.

After a period of time, though, the dogs started to produce saliva when they heard the bell. They learned to connect the sound of the bell with the arrival of food. In terms of their immediate physiological reactions, the sound of the bell became equal to the presentation of food. Ivan Pavlov's experiment with dogs and their response to stimulus established the foundation for Classical conditioning. The process of how classical conditioning operates can be explained in the following sequence (Mischel, 1993, p.

296):

1. There is a natural response called a UCR (unconditioned response), which is like a reflex.
2. There is a stimulus called the UCS (unconditioned stimulus) that triggers this response.
3. Over time, the organism (such as a man or dog) will start associating the UCR with the UCS.
4. Once the behavior is learned, the UCR may occur even when the UCS is simulated.
5. The response at this point is referred to as conditioned (or CR - conditioned response).

The theory of Classical conditioning can explain various events in people's lives. For instance, how much a person likes another individual could be linked to how much the other person has come to represent positive stimuli or gratification (Mischel, 1993, p. 297). People may develop specific fears due to negative stimuli occurring simultaneously with another event (Mischel, 1993, p. 297). Freud's interpretation of little Hans, who developed a fear of horses after witnessing one fall and bleed, exemplifies phobia development through classical conditioning (Mischel, 1993, p.

In Watson's experiment, a boy was exposed to rats and a loud noise at the same time, resulting in his development of a strong aversion to rats and fuzzy things in general (Mischel, 1993, p. 299-300). The avoidance of certain situations by people can often be attributed to classical conditioning (Mischel, 1993, p. 302).

Classical conditioning has a profound impact on human nature, as individuals' associations with words and symbols stem from learned responses (Mischel, 1993, p. 304). For instance, the American national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner," resonates emotionally within an American, whereas a Russian might not have the same reaction (Mischel, 1993, p. 304).

Acknowledgment of Experiment

The initial presentation of Pavlov's findings on how animals (including humans) can be trained to react in a specific way to

a particular stimulus sparked significant interest (Fredholm, 1999). This discovery paved the way for a new and more objective approach to studying behavior. Conditioned learning, also known as Pavlovian training, has found applications in various fields, including phobia treatment (Fredholm, 1999). It is important to note that a conditioned response established through repeated association between stimuli (such as dogs salivating at the sound of a bell) diminishes in intensity during extinction when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus (food) (Fredholm, 1999). This phenomenon presents an opportunity for addressing phobias triggered by specific environmental situations like heights or crowds (Fredholm, 1999).

The patient is initially taught a technique for relaxing their muscles. Then, over a few days, they are instructed to imagine the situation that causes them fear while attempting to relax and prevent anxiety. By the end of the sessions, they should be able to think about the most anxiety-inducing situation without feeling anxious. This technique is called systematic desensitization (Fredholm, 1999). Conditioning plays a significant role in human learning, and it is now utilized in advertising as well (Fredholm, 1999).

An effective commercial seeks to manipulate the initial unemotional response to a stimulus, such as the mention of a product's name. Its aim is to establish a connection between positive emotions like happiness or feeling attractive with the particular brand being advertised.

Nobel Prize

Although Ivan Pavlov is commonly known for his experiments on drooling dogs, he was honored with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1904 for his pioneering work on the digestive system's functionality.

Prior to Pavlov, the understanding of digestion in the stomach and its regulatory mechanisms was unclear. To gain

insight into this process, Pavlov developed a new monitoring method. He performed surgery on animals' stomachs, creating fistulas that allowed him to observe the organs and collect fluid samples while they were functioning normally (Fredholm, 1999).

Works Cited

1. "Pavlov, Ivan Petrovich," Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2001 http://encarta.msn.com 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation.
2. Mischel W. (1993). Behavioral conceptions. In W. Mischel, Introduction to Personality, 295-316.

New York: Harcourt Brace. Girogian, NA: Pavlov, Ivan Petrovich. In The Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Charles Schribners Sons, New York, Vol 10, pp. 431-6, 1974.

Fredholm, Lotta wrote an article titled "Ivan Pavlov" in the Science Journal on May 15, 1999.