Classical Conditioning: Ivan Pavlov and Behaviorism

Ivan Pavlov

Russian scientist known for classical conditioning experiments

Classical Conditioning

Process of learning to associate stimuli and anticipate events

Physiologist

Scientist who studies life processes of organisms

Digestive System

Area of interest for Pavlov's research

Saliva

Unconditioned response to taste of food

Psychic Secretions

Term used by Pavlov to describe unusual responses of dogs

Unconditioned Response

Natural reaction to a given stimulus

Conditioned Response

Learned response to a conditioned stimulus

Unconditioned Stimulus

Stimulus that elicits a reflexive response

Conditioned Stimulus

Stimulus that elicits a response after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus

Higher-Order Conditioning

Conditioning where a conditioned stimulus serves to condition another stimulus

Stingray City

Location where stingrays have been classically conditioned to associate boat engine sound with food

Taste Aversion

Conditioning based on a single instance and involving an extended time lapse between stimuli

Acquisition

Initial period of learning in classical conditioning

Extinction

Decrease in conditioned response when unconditioned stimulus is no longer presented

Spontaneous Recovery

Return of previously extinguished conditioned response following a rest period

Stimulus Discrimination

Ability to distinguish between similar stimuli and respond appropriately

Stimulus Generalization

Demonstration of conditioned response to stimuli similar to conditioned stimulus

Behaviorism

School of thought that focuses on observable behavior

Little Albert

Baby used in experiments to demonstrate conditioned fear response

Phobia

Persistent, excessive fear of a specific object or situation