Classical Conditioning and Salivation

Introduction

• Salivating before a meal can be a learned behavior through classical conditioning.
• Salivation is an automatic part of the digestive system, but it can also be triggered by learned stimuli.

Classical Conditioning

• Definition: A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired.
• Pavlov's Experiment:
  • Conducted by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist.
  • Discovered accidentally while researching dogs' gastric systems.
  • Dogs began to salivate at the sound or smell of food in anticipation.

Pavlov's Experiment Details

• Before Conditioning:
  • Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Food
  • Unconditioned Response (UCR): Salivation
• During Conditioning:
  • Neutral Stimulus (e.g. bell ringing) paired with UCS.
  • Neutral Stimulus begins to predict the UCS, leading to a learned association.
• After Conditioning:
  • Neutral Stimulus becomes Conditioned Stimulus (CS).
  • Conditioned Response (CR): Salivation in response to CS alone.

Applications of Classical Conditioning

• Early Attachment Theories:
  • "Cupboard Love" theory: Babies form attachments due to the association of parents (neutral stimulus) with food (unconditioned stimulus).
  • This theory is outdated but shows application of classical conditioning in attachment.
• Phobias:
  • Watson and Rayner's "Little Albert" study demonstrated that phobias can be learned.
  • Experiment: Baby Albert developed a phobia of white rats after loud noise paired with rat exposure.
  • Result: Phobia generalized to other white fluffy objects.

Conclusion

• Classical conditioning can be used positively or negatively.
• Raises questions about adult susceptibility to conditioned behaviors.

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