Running head: CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

Classical Conditioning Jason J. Curiale University of Phoenix Learning and Cognition PSY/390 Michael Suchovicki, PhD November 30, 2011

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING Classical Conditioning Classical or Pavlovian conditioning is the most rudimentary of all associative mechanisms, whereby an organism learns to produce new responses to stimuli as well as the relations between stimuli or events. The vital components needed to bring about a conditioned response (CR) include an unconditioned stimulus (US), which elicits a natural and automatic response from the organism; an unconditioned response (UR), which is a natural and automatic

response elicited by the US and a conditioned stimulus (CS), which is a neutral stimulus in that it does not elicit a natural and automatic response from the organism (Schneck, 1998). When combined a number of times in a specific way, a conditioned response (CR) occurs. Eventually the CS can be presented alone, and it will elicit a response similar to the UR. When this happens, a CR has been demonstrated.

The classical conditioning procedure has been simplified and presented below: Classical conditioning (S > R) An involuntary response (UR) is preceded by a stimuli (US) A stimulus (US) automatically triggers an involuntary response or (UR) A neutral stimulus (NS) associated with US automatically triggers a conditioned response. The NS becomes a conditioned stimulus (CS) (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).

In Pavlovs dog experiment, the unconditioned stimulus (US) was acid, the unconditioned response (UR) was salivation (resulting from the acid), and the conditioned

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING stimulus (CS) was a sound (e. g., a bell). Although the sound itself had no prior influence in causing the dog to salivate, through the pairing of the sound and acid, the sound developed the capability to elicit salivation. As a result, salivation became a conditioned response (CR) to the sound (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).

Furthermore in classical conditioning responses are trained without the use of stimuli that would naturally create such a response; links or connections are created between a stimulus that normally would not have any effect on the organism and a stimulus that would. organisms, in their interaction with the environment, form casual expectations that allow them to predict relations between events (Classical Conditioning, 2004). For example, a report card containing an A or an F lacks all meaning to an individual who has never learned the meaning of the grade. However, students strive to gain As to avoid Fs because they have learned to associate A grades with rewards or positive feedback and F grades with negative consequences. Classical Conditioning Scenario Over the last four months a father has been working with his seven-year-old daughter on learning about and developing healthier eating habits. He started out small so as to not overwhelm her but rather allow her time to adjust to and learn to enjoy new foods in a positive light. As, the father and mother share custody, she is with him two days over the weekend. Every Saturday the father prepares a meal in which he introduces a reasonably portioned new food item including vegetables prepared in different ways each time. If the daughter finishes the new food item she receives one of her new art supplies (purchased prior to dinner as visible incentive while she eats). Additionally, the father permits her to eat only healthy snacks between each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING This has provided constant incentive for the daughter to eat the wholesome meals and also has left less room for unhealthy food choices. Over time she will also come to learn that there are a wide variety of other foods that she enjoys. Additionally, these methods have trained her to ask for healthy foods before asking for an unhealthy snack. The chart below illustrates how the father could have applied the classical conditioning to his scenario.

Secondary Stimulus Antecedent Television is turned off, signaling mealtime

Response Behavior Daughter finishes her healthy meal

Reinforcing Stimulus Consequence Daughter receives art supply

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING References Classical Conditioning. (2004). In Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.comezproxy.apollolibrary.com Olson, M. H., & Hergenhahn, B. R. (2009). An introduction to the theories of learning (8th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database. Schneck, S. B. (1998). Classical Conditioning. Retrieved from http://www.wagntrain. com/OC/#Classical