Classical Conditioning

Definition

• Classical conditioning, also known as Pavlovian conditioning, is learning through association.
• First demonstrated by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov in the 1890s.
• It involves linking two stimuli to produce a new learned response in a person or animal.

Pavlov's Experiment

• Pavlov's experiment with dogs is foundational for modern psychology and behaviorism.
• Dogs automatically salivate at the sight of food (unconditioned response).
• Pavlov realized that other stimuli, like the lab assistant's footsteps, could trigger salivation if associated with food.
• Demonstrated that a dog could be conditioned to salivate to a neutral stimulus (a bell) by ringing it every time food was presented.

Key Concepts

• Unconditioned Stimulus (US): Food
• Unconditioned Response (UR): Salivation in response to food
• Neutral Stimulus (NS): Bell
• Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Bell after conditioning
• Conditioned Response (CR): Salivation in response to bell alone

Little Albert Experiment

• Conducted by John Watson and Rosalie Rayner at Johns Hopkins University.
• Hypothesis: Fears can be conditioned by pairing a neutral stimulus with a frightening stimulus.

Background on Little Albert

• Albert was a healthy nine-month-old baby.
• No initial fear of the presented stimuli (masks, furry animals, white rat).

Conditioning Process

• Watson introduced loud noises (unconditioned stimulus) to elicit fear (unconditioned response) while presenting a white rat (neutral stimulus).
• After several pairings, Albert developed a fear of the rat, which became a conditioned stimulus.
• Fear generalized to other stimuli (dog, rabbit, white mask).

Ethical Issues

• The experiment violated ethical standards:
  • Do No Harm: Little Albert was harmed, potentially suffering lifelong consequences.
  • Informed Consent: No informed consent from the mother; Albert was too young to understand.
  • Right to Withdraw: Albert could not express a desire to withdraw from the study.
• Lack of professional competence in research design (only one subject, lack of control).

Watson's Rationalization

• Watson claimed fear responses were acceptable as children would develop attachments outside the controlled environment.
• Original plan to decondition Albert was not executed due to his removal before the process could begin.

Impact and Legacy

• The experiment significantly contributed to the understanding of emotional behavior and laid the groundwork for behaviorism in psychology.
• Allowed for the exploration of how conditioning could explain personality traits, reactions, and disorders.

Conclusion

• Little Albert's identity remains uncertain, but he was believed to be Douglas Mariet.
• Albert died at six years old from hydrocephalus.
• The legacy of the experiment raises important questions about ethical practices in psychological research.