Classical Conditioning

            Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning purely by accident.  This scientist was examining the digestive system of canines and noticed that the animal he would examine would salivate at the sight of food (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).  A fellow psychologist John Watson expanded on this understanding by associating conditioning with how one’ learns.  Regardless, Watson and Pavlov will be forever known as the ones who made classical conditioning the main source of reference when seeking a clear understanding of ones daily behavior.  Everyone uses classical condition, teachers and parents alike when assessing daily situations.  For example, a Mom can train her son to lay the toilet seat down after each use by using classical conditioning with him. 

            The first action that is discovered is a stimulus, which causes an instinctive response (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).  For example, pulling into the parking lot of a store and smelling steaks being grilled from the restaurant a few yards away and becoming hungry.  The stimulus that causes the instinctive reaction is labeled unconditioned stimulus (US) or in this case the food.  The unconditional response (UR) is defined, as the unconscious response from the unconditioned stimulus would be hunger.  The second principle is related to the unconditional response would be a reaction to a noise related to it, like the dinner bell the cowboys would ask the women to sound to alert them out in the field that dinner was ready (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).  This sound is referred to as the conditioned stimulus.  The third theory occurs after the unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus are paired several times together.  Eventually the sound of the dinner bell alone will make the men in the field begin to salivate because they know that dinner is waiting ahead. 

            The unconditional stimulus is referred to as the primary reinforcer only because the conditioning is hinging on whatever is being stimulated (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009). 

Not every animal or human will have control over the reinforcement as it only occurs when one is using classical conditioning and is wishing for it to occur (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).  A palpable response is not based on reinforcements; therefore behaviors are initiated in different ways.  The classical conditioning that takes place in humans will also incorporate the environment for additional support (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).  Most success can be seen when observing several parings that include unconditional stimulus and conditioned stimulus.  In order for associative learning to take place as a part of classical conditioning, it needs one’s own natural instinct to grow (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).

            John Watson continued Pavlov’s theories with the human race in the 1920’s.  Watson’s thoughts were that individuals were born with the essential reflexes and emotions (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).  Watson also believed one’s emotions are derived from life experiences and genetics.  He launched the thought that one’s fears and phobias are generated based on reflexes and stimuli.  Watson questioned the three fundamental emotions are based on hereditary and these convert to emotions belonging to each person (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009). 

            To help explain his theory, Watson generated an experiment with a youngster Albert.  The items used in this experiment to condition Albert were a white rat, a steel bar and a hammer.  In the beginning, Albert was playing with the white rat.  He was not anxious, or nervous as he interacted with it.  After the familiarization time, when the rat and Albert would react, someone in the back would bang a hammer on the steel bar, thus scaring Albert to the point he is jumping back.  Eventually Albert grew a fear of white rats.

            Watson never accepted Pavlov’s theories on classical conditioning.  The only reason he did not was because he did not feel that conditioning was based on reinforcement.  Watson thought that classical conditioning occurred from unconditional stimulus synchronizing with conditioned stimulus (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).  Classical conditioning can be exploited if fears are removed.

Classical Scenario

            Classical conditioning can be used to manipulate others to do what one wants done.  For example, a recent recipient of a new pet wants to train her animal to come when she calls.  While this would be a normal occurrence or her if it were a dog but it is a cat.  The deal is if she is able to get Smoke to come when he is called she will reward him with catnip.  If he doesn’t come when he is called, she will not brush him; which is his favorite thing.  By the second week Smoke realizes if he comes to her when she calls his name, he is rewarded leaving him brushed and the ability to enjoy catnip. 

            The unconditional stimulus is this is the lack of attention given to the cat.  The unconditional response is he experiences of lack of affection.  The controlled stimulus is coming to whomever is calling him.  Once the controlled stimulus and the unconditional stimulus are coupled along with the unconditional response the animal become habitual and come when he is called.

Classical Conditioning Chart

		CR+UR+CR Leaving Lid Up D	US+CS Putting Lid Down C
		Smoke does not come when he is called so no affection	Owner of Smoke accepts to award animal with catnip
Week One	Monday	D
	Tuesday		C
	Wednesday	D
	Thursday		C
	Friday	D
	Saturday		C
	Sunday	D
Week Two	Monday	D
	Tuesday	D
	Wednesday	D
	Thursday		C
	Friday		C
	Saturday		C
	Sunday		C

            This chart shows how many times the owner found Smoke not responding to his name and how many time he was not shown affection.  But if the owner had showed the animal affection and awarded him with catnip then he would have never accepted the training.

Conclusion

            In summarizing, Ivan Pavlov formulated classical conditioning and John Watson expanded his ideas to aid psychologists in identifying behaviors.  Pavlov discovered this conditioning by chance where Watson shaped associative behaviors.  Both Watson and Pavlov aided in creating the different behaviors and a way to cure phobias.  It is evident by the chart that anyone’s behavior can be influenced by the right manipulation, even yours. 

References

Olson, M. H. & Hergenhahn, B. R. (2009). An introduction to theories of learning (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice