Conditioning the Theory of Classical Conditioning Ivan

Conditioning

The Theory of Classical Conditioning

Ivan Pavlov is credited with developing the theory of classic conditioning. His experiments using dogs helped to describe the phenomenon of behavior and presented practical applications for its use. Conditioning is a training regimen of sorts that allows the brain to process information and make new associations due to different stimulus and the environment. This is important due to the fact of predicting behavior being useful for determining outcomes for problems in society in general. The purpose of this essay is to highlight certain aspects of the theory of classical conditioning and create a practical example of how it might be used in a practical sense.

Understanding Stimuli

In order to understand Pavlov's theory, it is necessary to define certain terms. While Pavlov is concerned mainly with the digestive processes in human physiology, behaviorism arose out of his curiosity. Studying the different reflexes of dogs in reaction to unconditioned stimuli helped Pavlov develop this theory. In his studies he described behaviors as reflexes that may either be instinctive and unlearned or conditioned and preplanned. The distinction between these two states is the essence behind the theory. Pavlov introduced this idea in his term of unconditioned stimuli and gave it meaning relative to the animal causing a conditioned response after an eventuality of circumstances. Exposure and repeated exposure to unconditioned stimuli will often produce a conditioned response according to Pavlov.

Pavlov's theory, while simple in its form, does not have a great practical use in general. Other psychological studies have introduced other factors in behaviorism. The use of animals, in this case Pavlov's dogs as interchangeable between the human mind and its predicted behaviors, does not give much credit to the human mindset. Dogs are animals and important within society, but cross examining behavioral responses between animals and humans should be carried out with care and special understanding.

Although the appearance of classical conditioning is evident everywhere in society, the theory is yet unproven. Its simple form allows for understanding at many different levels of knowledge, but it excludes the individual interpretation of the relative circumstances that even if the emotion and most likely the emotion will create a behavior. Fear appears to be the greatest contributor to the illusion of classical conditioning in the real world. Associating fear, an emotional response, to external stimuli or unconditioned stimuli often seems to cause the behavior of whatever fear manifests in an individual. What was not taken into consideration in this theory are the experiences before the fear was associated and conditioned to the stimuli and how that plays into the complete emotional and behavioral equation.

Example of Classical Conditioning

Pavlov's theory rests upon two premises. The first is concerned with the presence of an unconditioned response after being exposed to in unconditioned stimuli. The second premise assumes that after repetitive exposure to the unconditioned stimuli, this process will eventually lead to a conditioned response. The unconditioned stimuli now manifest itself into a conditioned stimulus, it was once neutral but now it has a behavioral trigger. The following chart describes Pavlov's sequence of events that is the first and most applicable example of classic conditioning theory.

Step 1 Before Conditioning

Present Food Unconditioned Stimuli and measure Unconditioned Response (saliva accumulation)

Step 2 Ring Bell

No response or conditioned response

Step3 Conditioning Process