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