Classical Conditioning

• We learn behaviours through stimulus response associations. i.e. when we learn two things happen together, we associate them with one another.
• Pavlov first documented this type of learning by researching the salivation reflex in dogs when fed.
• Pavlov and his dogs (CC)

  The dogs were first presented with food (unconditioned stimulus) which caused them to salivate (unconditioned response). He then introduced a bell (acted as a neutral stimulus). The bell ringing (NS) was coupled with the food (UCS) which caused salivation (UCR). Eventually, the dogs associated the bell ringing (now conditioned stimulus) with being fed, which caused them to salivate (now conditioned response).
• Generalisation

  Similar stimuli to the original conditioned stimulus produce the conditioned response. (e.g Little Albert: fear of white rats was generalised to cotton wool, santa mask and a fur coat).
• Discrimination

  When similar stimuli to the original conditioned stimulus doesn't produce the conditioned response because they are too different.
• Little Albert

  Controversial experiment by Watson and Rayner that was performed in 1920 to test the principles of classical conditioning.
• Little Albert

  Watson and Rayner presented Little Albert (a nine month old boy) with a white rat (UCS), to which he expressed no fear. He was then presented with the rat and a loud bang (NS) which made him cry.
• Little Albert

  After continuous association, Albert was classically conditioned to fear the rat.
• Little Albert

  His fear was generalised to similar other stimuli: a fur coat, cotton wool, and a santa mask.
• Pavlov's contributions: Scientific method and Psychology

  Demonstrated the importance of learning by association in his experiments.

  Experiments showed learning could be investigated experimentally and using non human participants.
• Pavlov's contributions: Theory

  Provided theories of learning and laws of learning (CC).
• Pavlov's contributions: Application

  Provided therapies for the treatments of disorders such as phobias and addictions (aversion therapies and flooding).