The classical conditioning model has been widely used in psychology, particularly by behaviorists, to explain the mechanisms underlying some human behaviors. For example, some forms of neurosis or phobia can be, according to the mechanism of classical conditioning, generated by the association of a neutral stimulus with an anxiety situation. With this Psychology-Online article we will delve together into What is classical conditioning, with some examples about.
If you want to know what classical conditioning consists of and what its applications are, as well as its types and practical examples, keep reading.
What is classical conditioning
Classical conditioning can be defined as process by which an unconditioned stimulus, which produces known effects, is associated with a neutral stimulus to the point where the neutral stimulus produces effects very similar to those of the unconditioned stimulus. At the end of the process, the neutral stimulus is called the “conditioned stimulus” and its effect is called “conditioned.”
More recently, a new (neo-Pavlovian) approach has been asserted, according to which classical conditioning consists of learning associations between events that allow the individual (and animals) to anticipate and represent the external environment. Therefore, it can be seen as the acquisition of new knowledge about the external world and not simply as the ability to activate new behaviors.
Elements, principles and characteristics of classical conditioning
He is quite known to drool at the sound of a bell. The conditioning mechanism consisted of subjecting the dog to two stimuli: the sound of the bell and the administration of food. The canonical classical conditioning experiment can be schematized as follows:
- Food is given to the dog, which begins to salivate: this is the starting situation, where a natural stimulus (food) elicits a natural response (salivation).
- “Conditioning” begins: the sound of a bell before the presentation of food, which causes the dog to come up. A neutral stimulus (sound), which in itself would not be capable of causing salivation, is perceived by the dog a few seconds before it is given the food (the natural stimulus) that causes salivation.
- After a number of repetitions, When the dog hears the bell, it starts to salivatebefore the food is given: the learning has been done.
The dog learned, by association, that sound follows food, and then it begins to salivate. Sound has become a conditioned stimulus that causes a conditioned response. Now, food is no longer the element that causes salivation (which has already happened with sound), but has become a reinforcer. Its function then becomes confirming and reinforcing the response after the conditioned stimulus. In summary, the elements of classical conditioning are:
- Neutral stimulus (EN): sound or light stimulus.
- Unconditional stimulus (US): food.
- Unconditional response (EI): salivation.
- Conditioned stimulus (CS): sound or light stimulus.
- Conditioned response (CR): salivation.
This article explains or.
It is evident that, put in these terms, the learning process does not imply consciousness or reflective capacity. In fact, it may simply be the repetition of the stimuli that induces a certain behavior that, because it is associated with the stimulus, is conditioned. From this point of view, it does not matter whether or not the dog is aware of the relationship between the food, the sound of the bell, and his reaction. Learning occurs when an association is created between stimulus and response. To do this, two main conditions must be met:
- The temporal proximity between the variables at play.
- The connection between the variables will be repeated enough times.
Types of classical conditioning
There are several types of classical conditioning:
- Booster: the greater the frequency of pairing between conditioned stimulus, unconditional stimulus and unconditional response, the greater the intensity and regularity of the appearance of conditioned responses.
- Extinction: If the unconditional stimulus is repeatedly omitted, then the conditioned response loses intensity until it disappears.
- Spontaneous recovery: Extinction does not imply the total loss of the possibility of producing the conditioned response, since it tends to reappear for a certain time even if the unconditional stimulus is not presented.
- Generalization: The conditioned response is sensitive to the generalization of the conditioned stimulus (for example, the dog can begin to salivate even when hearing sounds other than the initial one).
- Discrimination: It is also possible to learn to discriminate between similar stimuli. If only the initial stimulus is repeatedly associated with the unconditional stimulus (i.e., only the original sound is followed by food), while other similar sounds are not associated with the presence of food, then a gradual and progressive extinction of the stimulus is observed. salivation response to similar sounds, while maintaining salivation in response to the initial sound.
Another type of conditioning is operant. In the following article you can see.
Now, how important is classical conditioning in everyday life? In the next section we will see applications of classical conditioning.
Examples of classical conditioning
Classical conditioning can refer in humans to the learning of specific emotional responses, for example, fear or even the development of phobias, in which the subject associates a neutral stimulus with a stimulus considered fearful.
Advertisers, on the other hand, try to take advantage of classical conditioning by associating a response (purchase) with the sight of their products, pairing them with pleasant stimuli. It is no coincidence that advertisements for fitness products, instead of immortalizing women or men with a “generous” physique, give us filiform models (pleasant stimulus). They take advantage of the product-physical model purchasing association.
- Pair a popular music together with the products in the ads to generate positive feelings and liking towards the products.
- Christmas music played in the store It can trigger the sweet memories and habits of giving and sharing in the mind of a consumer and thus persuade him or her to enter the store.
- Political candidates try to appear on television with patriotic music background to awaken the patriotic feelings of voters.
- Constant advertising of a product in exciting game shows can lead to the product itself generating an exciting response.
- People receiving chemotherapy often vomit during or right after the procedure. After several chemotherapy sessions, people start to feel bad when they see the operating room.
- Seeing food will make you hungry. Soon, every time you go to the kitchen, you will feel hungry.
- If every time you watch a scary movie, you always eat a box of thin mints. Now you will find that seeing thin mints makes you feel scared.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Dalli, D., Romani, S. (2000). The behavior of the consumer. I acquired and consumed a marketing perspective. Milan: Franco Angeli.
- Mandolesi, L., Passafiume, D. (2004). Psychology and psychobiology of learning. Milan: Springer-Verlag.
- Miglioretti, M., Pravettoni, G. (et al.) (2002). Cognitive and personal processes. Introduction to psychology. Milan: Franco Angeli.
- ToiTogo (2018). I 10 great examples of solid Pavlov Classical Conditioning in Action. Retrieved from: https://www.toitogo.it/2018/12/15/toitogo-it-i-10-migliori-esempi-solidi-di-pavlov-classical-conditioning-in-action/