CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

• Assumption 1: All behaviour is learnt:

  • Learn new behaviour through classical / operant conditioning (learning theory)
  • When born- mind is “tabula rasa” (a blank state)
• Assumption 2: Behaviour should be scientifically studied:

  • Use of operational definitions
  • Studying behaviour that can be OBSERVED & MEASURED
  • Not concerned with mental processes 
  • Use of labs
• Assumption 3: Use of animal studies:

  • Behaviour of animals is similar to that of humans
  • No fundamental qualitative distinction between human and animal behaviour
  • Rats, cats, dogs and pigeons- primary source of data
• Assumption 4: Behaviour- stimulus -> response

  • All behaviour (no matter how complex) can be reduced to a simple stimulus -> response association
• What is Classical Conditioning?

  • Developed by Pavlov
  • Classical conditioning is learning through association
• Pavlov’s research: Conditioning dogs to salivate when a bell rings:

  Before conditioning:

  UCS (unconditioned stimulus) = Food

  UCR (unconditioned response) = Salivation

  NS (neutral stimulus) = Bell

  
  

  UCS -> UCR

  NS -> No response
• During conditioning:

  Bell & Food occur at the same time

  NS + UCS
• After conditioning:

  CS (conditioned stimulus) = Bell

  CR (conditioned response) = Salivation

  CS -> CR