Ivan Pavlov (Classical Conditioning)

Origin of Classical Conditioning

Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist.

Core Mechanism of Classical Conditioning

Associating a neutral stimulus with a natural stimulus to produce a learned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning.

Unconditioned Response (UCR)

An unlearned, naturally occurring reaction to an unconditioned stimulus.

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response until paired with an unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after association with a UCS, triggers a conditioned response.

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned reaction to a previously neutral (but now conditioned) stimulus.

Famous Successors in Behaviorism

John Watson and B. F. Skinner.

Examples of Human Emotional Responses

Developing a fear of hospitals due to painful past experiences.

Application to Phobias

Fear of dogs resulting from a previous dog bite.

Application to Habits/Preferences

Liking a specific song because it is associated with happy memories.

Nursing Application: Equipment Anxiety

Patients feeling anxious when hearing medical equipment sounds associated with pain.

Nursing Application: Pediatric Reaction

Children crying at the sight of a nurse due to memories of previous injections.