Classical conditioning - Ivan Pavlov

Ivan Pavlov

a Russian and Soviet experimental neurologist and physiologist known for his discovery of classical conditioning through his experiments with dogs

Classical conditioning

it is an unconscious process where an automatic, conditioned response becomes associated with a specific stimulus.

Stimulus

anything that can trigger a physical or behavioral change in an organism or system.

biology: Stimuli are changes in the environment that can be detected by sensory receptors, leading to a response

psychology: Stimuli are inputs that cause a reaction or response, particularly in behavioral experiments or classical conditioning

Unconditioned

Not learned or not associated (yet)

Conditioned

Learned of associated

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

a stimulus that naturally triggers an automatic response

in simple words, an experience that causes a natural reaction

example:

unconditioned stimulus - sees a gun pointed at him

Unconditioned response (UCR)

a natural/automatic response from the unconditioned stimulus

in simple words, a natural response to an experience

example:

unconditioned stimulus: sees a gun pointed at him

unconditioned response: visible fear and anxiety

Neutral stimulus (NS)

a stimulus which initially produces no specific response other than focusing attention

in simple words, anything that you can easily sense is a neutral stimulus

example:

neutral stimulus: a loud constant dropping of water

unconditioned stimulus: sees a gun pointed at him

unconditioned response: visible fear and anxiety

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

it was once a neutral stimulus but due to constant pairing with the unconditioned stimulus to produce an unconditioned response, it becomes associated or learned

in simple words, anything you sense while you’re experiencing something will trigger a similar response even though the original experience is already removed

neutral stimulus: a loud constant dropping of water

unconditioned stimulus: sees a gun pointed at him (remove)

unconditioned response: visible fear and anxiety

Slowly remove the unconditioned stimulus until the neutral stimulus becomes independent and no longer needs the unconditioned stimulus to produce an unconditioned response. Once the neutral stimulus becomes fully independent, it is know called as conditioned stimulus

Conditioned response (CR)

A response from the conditioned stimulus without needing the help of the unconditioned stimulus.

conditioned stimulus: a loud constant dropping of water

conditioned response: visible fear and anxiety

the unconditioned stimulus is no longer needed, that’s one of the way on how to produce PTSD

How to condition someone? (either human or animal)

The neutral stimulus must be immediately paired with unconditioned stimulus for an unconditioned response to happen.

NS + UCS = UCR

slowly remove UCS until NS becomes fully independent to produce the similar UCR, once NS becomes fully independent to produce the similar response, it is know called as CS and the response as CR

Do this repeatedly for the subject to associate the neutral stimulus to the unconditioned response.

Generalization

A stimulus generated from the different source but similar to the neutral/controlled stimulus

example:

neutral stimulus: a loud constant dropping of water (in the interrogation room)

generalization: a loud constant dropping of water (but in his house, but the sound of the dropping water is similar to what he heard in the interrogation room, therefore it elicits a similar response, fear and anxiety)

Discrimination

a process through which individuals learn to differentiate differentiate among similar stimuli and respond appropriately on each one

neutral stimulus: a loud constant dropping of water (bop sound)

discrimination: a loud constant dropping of water (but metallic sound)

due to the difference of sound produce although the scenario of water dropping is similar, he will not be fearful or anxious

Extinction

It is when the conditioned stimulus (formerly neutral stimulus) is longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus for a long time, it will no longer elicit a conditioned response

example

conditioned stimulus: a loud constant dropping of water (he always hear it)

unconditioned stimulus (no longer present)

conditioned response: no more fear and anxiety (this is what we call extinction)

Spontaneous recovery

It is when the extinct or previous conditioned stimulus suddenly goes back to life

conditioned stimulus: a loud constant dropping of water (he always hear it)

unconditioned stimulus (no longer present)

conditioned response: no more fear and anxiety (extinction)

spontaneous recovery: sometimes he is still having fear and anxiety over water drops