Basics of Classical Conditioning
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Basics of Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning, discovered by Pavlov, is the learning through associations
between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus. It is a form of learning
that involves the two stimuli linked together to produce a response in an animal or a person
(Bitterman, M. E. 2006). These stimuli include; conditioned stimulus, which automatically
triggers a response; and the unconditional stimulus, which is the unlearned response. The
conditional stimulus is linked to unrelated unconditional stimulus to give a behavioral response
called conditioned response. The influence of classical conditioning is evident in responses such
as anger, sexual arousal, disgust, phobias, and nausea.
There are three basic phases of classical conditioning. First, before conditioning, the
process requires a naturally taking place stimulus that will automatically draw out a response
(Cherry, K. A. 2005). During this stage, the neutral stimulus produces no effect until it is linked
with unconditioned stimulus to evoke a response. Secondly, the conditioning stage, neutral
stimulus become the conditioned stimulus to trigger a conditioned response. The third phase,
after conditioning, the conditioned stimulus alone stirs up a response even without the
unconditioned stimulus (Gormezano, I., & Moore, J. W. 1966). The conditioned response is the
learned response to the earlier neutral stimulus.
From own experience, a nice smelling perfume (unconditioned stimulus), evokes a
response of desire (unconditioned response). Any person (conditioned stimulus), using a nice
smelling perfume (unconditioned stimulus), becomes attractive (conditioned stimulus). In the
bible, the story of David and Goliath presents an example of classical conditioning. David was
conditioned by the power of God’s strength when responding to fear while facing Goliath. From
the strengthened behavior he received from protecting his flock from a lion, David used the
power of God to defeat Goliath and save the people of Israel. The desired behavior strengthened
the response.
References
Bitterman, M. E. (2006). Classical conditioning since Pavlov. Review of general psychology,
10(4), 365-376.
Cherry, K. A. (2005). Classical conditioning. Psychology About.
Gormezano, I., & Moore, J. W. (1966). Classical conditioning. Experimental methods and
instrumentation in psychology, 1, 385-420.
