Classical Conditioning
Definition: learning through
repeated association of 2 or
more stimuli
Elements of Classical Conditioning
Element
Neutral
Stimulus
Definition
A stimulus (prior to
conditioning) that
doesn’t evoke a
response
Unconditioned Any stimulus which
produces a (naturally
Stimulus
occurring) automatic
response
Conditioned
Stimulus
A stimulus (that is
neutral at start of
conditioning process
& does not normally
produce UCR) through
repeated association
with CS triggers same
response as UCS.
Examples
Bell, foods (that
subsequently result in
an aversion as a result
of food poisoning)
Meat powder (Pavlov’s
dog), contaminated pie
(naturally results in
illness/nausea)
Sound of a bell,
sight/smell of meat pie
Elements of Classical Conditioning
Element
Unconditioned
Response
Conditioned
Response
Definition
Examples
Occurs
automatically when
UCS is presented,
(it’s reflexive/
involuntary)
Salivation in response
to smell of meat
powder, illness in
response to eating
contaminated food
Is behaviour - which
is similar (BUT NOT
NECESSARILY THE
SAME) to the UCR,
which is triggered by
the CS after
conditioning.
Salivation in response
to the sound of a bell,
nausea in response to
site/ smell of a pie.
Conditioned
responses are
Learned (KEY POINT)
Application of C.C
• Example 1
• Drew goes to a
restaurant and orders
Scallops, the Scallops
turn out to be
contaminated and
Drew suffers from a
bad case of food
poisoning.
• Now whenever Drew
sees or smell
scallops he feels
nauseous:
• Required – Identify
the NS, UCS, CS,
UCR, CR
Solution – to example 1
Neutral
Stimulus
Unconditioned
Stimulus
Conditioned
Stimulus
Unconditioned
Response
Conditioned
Response
Solution – to example 1
Neutral
Stimulus
Scallops
Unconditioned
Stimulus
Contamination (of Scallops)
Conditioned
Stimulus
Sight/ smell of Scallops
Unconditioned Illness – food poisoning as a result of
Response
eating contaminated scallops
Conditioned
Response
Feeling nauseous at sight/ smell of
scallops
Application of C.C
• Example 2
• Lebron waits for the
train at Box Hill station
one night and gets
beaten up by a gang of
thugs resulting in
various painful injuries
• Now Lebron feels highly
anxious when in the
vicinity of the Box Hill
train station:
• Required – Identify the
NS, UCS, CS, UCR, CR
Solution – to example 2
Neutral
Stimulus
Unconditioned
Stimulus
Conditioned
Stimulus
Unconditioned
Response
Conditioned
Response
Solution – to example 2
Neutral
Stimulus
The Box Hill train station
Unconditioned
Stimulus
Getting beaten up by thugs
Conditioned
Stimulus
Being in the vicinity of Box Hill train
station
Unconditioned The painful injuries resulting from the
Response
beating by the gang of thugs
Conditioned
Response
Feeling highly anxious when in the
vicinity of the Box Hill train station