Psych - Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

A type of unconscious or automatic learning that creates a conditioned response through associations between an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus

unconditioned stimulus

A stimulus that naturally (biologically) elicits a response

it can’t be controlled

Neutral stimulus

A stimulus that DOES NOT naturally elicit a response 

conditioned stimulus

A neutral response that has come to elicit a conditioned response through conditioning (association with an unconditioned stimulus)

3 strengths of classical conditioning

• Substantial empirical support (including Pavlov) that demonstrates learning through stimulus

• Scientific and testable

• Common practical applications in real world (aversion therapy, animal training etc.)

4 limitations of classical conditioning

• Reductionist - ignores other processing in learning

• Environmental determinism

• Limited generalizability of studies involving animals

• Doesn’t explain all types of learning (operant and observational)

What are three real-world applications/ examples of classical conditioning?

• phobias

• aversion theraphy

• animal training

What is a key study that demonstrates classical conditioning?

Pavlov’s dogs (1890s)

Describe Pavlov’s 1890s experiment on dogs

Dogs were served food (unconditioned stimulus) with a metronome (neutral stimulus). Later, the dogs would still salivate at the metronome (conditioned stimulus) without being served food.