Classical (Pavlovian) Conditioning: An Introduction

Shifts focus from nonassociative learning (single stimulus) to associative learning, which involves learning about two or more things.
Classical (Pavlovian) Conditioning is the first form of associative learning discussed.
Instrumental (Operant) Conditioning will be covered after the midterm as the second form.

Classical conditioning continues to deal with reflexes.
Similar to habituation and sensitization, classical conditioning involves modifying reflexive responses.
- In habituation, reflexive responses decreased.
- In sensitization, reflexive responses increased.
The key distinction: in non-associative learning, a single stimulus was processed repeatedly. In classical conditioning, two stimuli are associated.
For the first half of the course (up to the midterm), the focus remains on reflexive behaviors (involuntary, unconscious responses), not purposeful/voluntary actions.

Classical conditioning is about modifying a reflex in association with another stimulus.
It establishes a relationship between two things that were previously unrelated.
The fundamental purpose is prediction: making sense of environmental chaos and randomness to predict future occurrences.
- Successful prediction enhances survival (e.g., predicting food, predators).
An otherwise meaningless stimulus gains meaning by predicting another significant event.

Ivan Pavlov is credited with pioneering classical conditioning.
Nobel Prize: He won a Nobel Prize, but not for Pavlovian conditioning. His award was for his studies on the digestive system in dogs.
- Ironically, much of his digestive system work was later disproven, similar to Freud's early psychological theories.
Career Crossroads: Pavlov faced a choice to either continue his disproven biological studies or shift to studying the observed conditioning phenomena.
Anecdote - Selling Dog Drool: To fund his research, Pavlov collected and sold dog digestive juices and saliva. People bought these as a