Classical Conditioning
Learning
Lesson 1
Objectives
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Define learning and provide examples.
Identify John B Watson, BF Skinner, and
Ivan Pavlov.
Describe and apply the components of
classical conditioning.
Warm Up
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Identify some of the
things you’ve learned
in the past few
months.
Learning
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Learning IS…
A process leading to
relatively permanent
change in behavior.
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Learning is NOT…
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Reflex:
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Simple, unlearned behavior
controlled by the ANS
Instinct:
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Inborn, complex pattern of
behavior of a species
Behaviorists
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John B. Watson
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Behaviorism
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Study of observable
behaviors
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BF Skinner
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Behavior influenced by
history of
consequences
Behavioral Psychology
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Study of how our behavior results from
stimuli in the environment and within
ourselves. (Stimulus-Response Learning)
Classical Conditioning
 Operant Conditioning
Cognitive or Social Learning
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Think-Pair-Share
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“When I’m driving
and see a stoplight
turn red, I stop”
Stimulus – red light
Reaction – stop
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Write down three
more conditioned
responses you do on
a daily basis.
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Phone rings, pick it up
Bell rings, you switch
classes
Teacher asks ?, you
raise hand
Classical Conditioning
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Stimulus in
environment triggers
response in subject.
Ivan Pavlov
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(1849-1936)
Physiologist
researching digestion
in dogs
Activity
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PsychSim 4.0 “Classical Conditioning”
This activity provides a review of Pavlov’s famous
experiment on the salivary response in dogs, as well as
the basic processes of classical conditioning: acquisition,
generalization, discrimination training, and extinction.
http://www.worthpublishers.com/kolb/content/psychsim/
index.htm
Pavlov’s Experiment
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Before Conditioning (Pre-Learning)
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During Conditioning (Learning)
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Ring tuning fork (NS)  No response from dog
Food (UCS)  Dog salivates automatically (UCR)
Ring fork (NS)  Present food (UCS)  Salivation (UCR)
After Conditioning (Post-Learning)
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Ring fork (CS)  Salivation (CR)
Think-Pair-Share
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What other
conditioned stimuli
may have existed in
Pavlov’s experiment?
General Principles of C2
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Acquisition
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Generalization
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Distinguishing between different stimuli
Extinction
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Stimuli similar to CS cause CR
Discrimination
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Time period it takes for NS to be associated with UCS
Disappearance of CR to CS
Spontaneous Recovery
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Previously extinguished CR returns suddenly
Eye Blink Experiment
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UCS – puff of air in eye
UCR – blink
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NS – tone
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CS – tone
CR – blink
Emotional Conditioning
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John B. Watson
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Prove human
emotional reaction was
result of conditioning
Fear, rage, sadness
Little Albert
http://study.com/academy/lesson/watson-and-littlealbert.html
Albert Activity
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Set up experimental design.
Give examples of generalization in
experiment.
Cite criticisms of experiment
Identify ways researchers could help
Albert get over his fears.
Albert Answers
Before:
Rat  No Response
Loud noise  Fear
During:
Rat  Noise  Fear
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Generalization:
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Criticisms:
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After:
Rat  Fear
Rabbit
Fur Coat
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Screwed up kid
Didn’t fix him
Albert Answers
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Fixing Albert’s Fears
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Counter Conditioning: pleasant stimulus
presented with fear object, re-condition
Systematic Desensitization: gradually exposed
to fear-evoking stimuli in pleasant
circumstance
Flooding: exposed to fear stimulus until
response extinguished
Other Examples
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Associate song with relationship…break
up, song makes you sad
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Associate smells
Taste Aversion – Got sick eating spaghetti,
can’t eat it anymore