Psych Lab 11 Review: Classical Conditioning and Substance Use

Overview of Psychological Labs and Classical Conditioning

  • Date of Lecture: November 17

  • Current Lab: Psych Lab 11

  • Labs Remaining: 2 (Total of 12)

Introduction to Learning

Types of Learning

  • Classical Conditioning

  • Operant Conditioning

  • Observational Learning

Focus: Classical Conditioning

  • Key Contributor: Ivan Pavlov

    • Background: Biologist interested in dog saliva

Pavlov's Experiment

Procedure

  • Goal: Study dog saliva

  • Method: Tube inserted into dog’s mouth to collect saliva when presented with food

Key Concepts

  • Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Any stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning.

    • Example: Meat is an unconditioned stimulus because it triggers salivation in dogs naturally.

  • Unconditioned Response (UCR): A natural, reflexive reaction to the unconditioned stimulus.

    • Example: Salivation in response to meat.

  • After several trials:

    • Pavlov noticed that turning on a basement light (neutral stimulus) started to make the dogs salivate even before they received food.

Conclusion: Classical Conditioning

  • Definition: Learning through association.

    • When a neutral stimulus (like the light) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (like meat), the neutral stimulus can eventually elicit the conditioned response (salivation).

Real-world Implications

  • Advertising:

    • Advertisers use emotional appeals to associate their products with positive stimuli.

    • Example: Attractive people (conditioned stimulus) are often shown with products to make the products (neutral stimulus) desirable.

Assignment for Psych Lab 11

  • Due Date: Sunday

  • Task: Identify an advertisement that utilizes elements of classical conditioning.

    • Components to Analyze:

    • Unconditioned Stimulus

    • Unconditioned Response

    • Conditioned Stimulus

    • Conditioned Response

Additional Topics in Lecture

Stages of Sleep

  • Five stages, with specific focus on:

    • Stage 4: Deepest sleep stage

    • REM Sleep: Rapid eye movement sleep associated with dreaming

Sleep Disorders

  • Sleep Apnea: Condition where breathing stops during sleep.

  • Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Substance Use and Personal Experiences

Discussion of Alcohol and Drug Use

  • Personal anecdote about quitting alcohol for 15 years due to family medical issues.

  • Discussion on personal choices regarding consumption.

Effects of Illegal Drugs

  • Illegal drugs interfere with neurotransmitter functions.

  • Endorphins: Chemicals in the brain that promote a sense of well-being.

    • When artificial endorphins flood the brain through drug use, natural production decreases, leading to lows when not using the drugs.

  • Chasing the Dragon: Refers to the cycle of drug addiction where the initial high is never repeatable due to body's tolerance.

Neurochemistry in Addiction

  • Drug Tolerance: Needing an increased amount of the drug to achieve the same desired effects.

  • Withdrawal Symptoms: Physical and psychological effects experienced when stopping drug use, opposite to the drug’s effects.

    • Example: Stimulants lead to fatigue post-use.

    • Example: Depressants like alcohol lead to heightened anxiety after cessation.

Key Term Definitions

  • Psychoactive Drug: Any drug that alters perception, mood, or behavior.

    • Examples: Caffeine, nicotine, heroin, cocaine.

  • Withdrawal: Painful symptoms resulting from the absence of a drug.

  • Drug Abuse vs. Drug Addiction:

    • Abuse: Using drugs negatively impacts life (relationships, work).

    • Addiction: Psychological or physical dependence on a substance.

Categories of Drugs

1. Stimulants

  • Increase CNS activity.

  • Examples: Nicotine, caffeine, meth.

  • Health Effects: Increased heart rate, risk of heart problems.

2. Depressants

  • Decrease CNS activity.

  • Examples: Alcohol, Valium, barbiturates.

  • Health Effects: Reduced anxiety but risk of overdose.

3. Opiates

  • Derived from opium poppy; pain relief and euphoria.

  • Examples: Heroin, oxycodone, morphine.

4. Hallucinogens

  • Alter perception and sensory experiences.

  • Examples: LSD, magic mushrooms, PCP.

5. Steroids

  • Synthetic variations of testosterone for muscle building.

  • Health Risks: Mood swings, physical side effects.

Legal and Social Implications of Drug Use

  • Discussion on the opioid crisis and its causes, particularly focusing on prescription painkillers.

  • Statistics: 2.6 million Americans addicted to opioids, with over 30,000 overdose deaths yearly.

  • Issues with over-prescription of opioids leading to dependency.

Ethical Considerations

  • Discussion on advertisement ethics within psychological concepts and drug representation.

  • Examination of case studies around addiction and public health issues, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making and personal responsibility in drug use.

Conclusion and Future Topics

  • Next Class: Possible discussion around hypnosis and its therapeutic applications.

  • Importance of understanding these concepts as they apply to real-world issues of addiction and treatment.

Final Thoughts

  • Emphasis on the need for further exploration of deep learning concepts and how to combat psychological and physical effects of substance use.

  • Importance of making informed choices regarding substance use.