Classical conditioning (Pavlov)

• First described by Ivan Pavlov while conducting research in the digestive system of dogs
• Classical conditioning


  Refers to the type of learning that occurs through the repeated association of two (or more) different stimuli
• Learning


  Only said to have occurred when a particular stimulus consistently produces a response that it did not previously produce
• Three-phase model of classical conditioning

  1. Before conditioning

  2. During conditioning

  3. After conditioning
• Conditioning


  Learning
• Key elements of classical conditioning

  • Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
  • Unconditioned response (UCR)
  • Neutral stimulus (NS)
  • Conditioned stimulus (CS)
  • Conditioned response (CR)
• Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)


  Any stimulus that consistently produces a naturally occurring, automatic response
• Unconditioned response (UCR)


  The response that occurs naturally/automatically when the UCS is presented
• Neutral stimulus (NS)


  Any stimulus that does not normally produce any response
• The stimulus is something random like a desk or a pen
• The 2 stimuli UCS and the NS will be paired/associated
• Conditioned stimulus (CS)


  The stimulus that was ‘neutral’ at the start now elicits the same response that was caused by the UCS
• Conditioned response (CR)


  The learnt response that is produced by the CS
• The CR occurs after the NS has been associated with the UCS and has become the CS
• The meat powder (UCS) produces salivation (UCR)
• How to write about classical conditioning in WACE

  1. Identify the 2 stimuli

  2. Look for the involuntary response

  3. Substitute the NS with the CS

  4. Make the UCR the same as the CR
• Classical conditioning (2 stimuli present)


  • NS (neutral stimulus)
  • UCS (unconditioned response)
• NS (neutral stimulus)


  Does not evoke any response
• UCS (unconditioned response)


  Evokes an involuntary physiological response
• When the conditioned stimulus is presented and no physiological response is present it is called extinction
• Key processes in classical conditioning

  • Extinction
  • Stimulus generalisation
  • Stimulus discrimination
  • Spontaneous recovery
• Extinction


  The gradual decrease in the strength or rate of a CR that occurs when the UCS is no longer presented
• Stimulus generalisation


  The tendency for another stimulus that is similar to the original CS to produce a response similar to the CR
• Stimulus discrimination


  Occurs when a person or animal responds to the CS only, but not to any other stimulus that is similar to the CS
• Spontaneous recovery


  The re-appearance of a CR when the CS is presented again after a rest period