Classical Conditioning Is the First

Classical Conditioning is the first learning theory, which was created by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist. Classical conditioning is one of the foundations for the area of psychology known as behaviorism. Classical Conditioning Theory is based on the importance of reflexes where instincts and reflexes control behavior. Reflexes are behaviors that are "hardwired" into the nervous systems, and are building blocks of more complex behaviors. Humans and animals are born with reflexes, which are innate responses to common stimuli, but can be changed by experience. The natural reflexes can be changed by four principles, known as Principles of Association.

These principles are Contiguity, Frequency, Intensity, and Similarity. Contiguity is where experiences that are presented together become closely associated. The more closely together the two items occur, the more likely that the thought or presence of one will elicit the other. Frequency is the number of times that two items are presented together, and the greater number of times that two items are presented together, the stronger the association. The intensity of a stimulus or event is also important in changing a reflex. The greater the intensity of a stimulus, the more likely it is to be associated response. Lastly, the similarity principle states that the thought of one idea often leads to the thought of similar. Pavlov believed these principles provided the basis of learning.

The Classical Conditioning Theory was developed as a result of work that Pavlov did with dogs in 1907. This theory was the first to explain how learning occurs. Classical conditioning consists of five main components. These components are an unconditioned response (UR), an unconditioned stimulus (U.S.), a neutral stimulus (NS), a conditioning stimulus (CS), and a conditioned response (CR). A stimulus is something that elicits a response, or a stimulus is the cause, and the response is the effect. Unconditioned means that the stimulus and the response are naturally linked, and conditioned means that the stimulus and response are learned.

The work of Pavlov with his dogs is briefly described below, and provides a better explanation of the stimulus response relationships.

Pavlov was actually studying digestion in dogs when he observed that the dogs would salivate prior to eating, and also salivate when the person who fed them appeared in the room. Pavlov developed a series of experiments to study the salivating he observed in the dogs. Before feeding the dogs a bell was rung several times, and the bell was also rung several times during feeding. When the ringing bell and the food were repeatedly presented together, the dogs formed an association between the bell and the food. Soon the dogs salivated when the bell was rung, even if no food was given. The dogs had learned to associate the bell tone with food. The results of Pavlov's experiment indicate that responses to certain stimuli are learned, and that we make connections which can cause responses from a naturally occurring stimulus to be elicited by a neutral stimulus. In the above example, the food is the unconditioned stimulus, and the unconditioned response is salivating to the food, because food naturally results in salivating. A ringing bell does not naturally cause dogs to salivate, therefore before conditioning; the bell is the neutral stimulus. However, when the dog learns to associate the bell with food, the bell becomes the conditioned stimulus, and salivating to the bell is the conditioned response. This is called a conditioned relationship.

K-mart shoppers and the blue light special is a good example of classical conditioning in people. Shoppers will naturally buy sale items because they are sold at a lower price, and shoppers are getting more for their money. Many times, shoppers will purchase items on sale, which they wouldn't otherwise purchase because they have learned that they are buying something at a cheaper price, and getting a good deal. This results in shoppers feeling good about spending their money, and associating the good feeling with a sale.

Presenting a flashing blue light along with a sale is a way of conditioning shoppers to associate the blue light with buying something and feeling good. Essentially, needing an item is an unconditioned stimulus, and buying the item is an unconditioned response. We need something, and we buy it. However, when the item is on sale, shoppers feel good about purchasing the item, because they have gotten a "good deal."