1. UNIT 2:The Learning Approach Classical Conditioning

2. Aim To DESCRIBE the main features of classical conditioning as an explanation of how we learn.

3. What is classical conditioning? Classical conditioning is learning through association and was discovered by Pavlov, a Russian physiologist. Assumes learning is passive and is based on reflex behaviours that all humans and animals have.

4. What is classical conditioning? It involves learning to associate a stimulus which brings about a response with a new stimulus so that it also brings about the same response. TASK – try to think of some naturally occurring responses or reflexes in humans and/or animals.

5. Pavlov’s experiments Whilst investigating the gastric function of dogs Pavlov noticed that the dogs had started to anticipate the arrival of food on hearing Pavlov’s footsteps and were producing more saliva.

6. One of Pavlov’s dogs with cheek tube attached

7. Laboratory apparatus

8. Watch this ….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpoLxE N54hohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpoLxE N54ho

9. Key Terms – complete these on your glossary. Neutral Stimulus (NS) Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) Unconditioned Response (UCR) Conditioned Stimulus (CS) Conditioned Response (CR) Extinction Spontaneous recovery Generalisation Discrimination

10. Neutral Stimulus (NS) Something in the environment which does not initially cause a response. E.g a dog would not normally salivate in response to a bell

11. Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) Anything that naturally has the power to produce a response in a human or animal. For example, the smell of food.

12. Unconditioned Response (UCR) A natural reflex response to an unconditioned stimulus. For example, salivation in response to the presence of food.

13. Conditioned Stimulus CS The neutral stimulus becomes the conditioned stimulus when it acquires the ability to produce a specific response in the human or animal. For example the bell.

14. Conditioned Response (CR) A learnt response to something that doesn’t naturally have the power to produce a response in a human or animal. For example, salivating to the sound of a bell.

15. The process of classical conditioning

16. Classical conditioning in humans Dr Vernon Coleman’s casebook. The People newspaper, 16 January 2000. My boyfriend and I made love every night for two months with Barry White on continuous play. Now whenever either of us hears the music we become sexually aroused. Why does this happen? Q: Explain the couple’s experience in terms of classical conditioning. Q: Give an example of how a more serious sexual fetish might be acquired by classical conditioning.

17. Some more key terms – complete definitions for these on your learning approach glossary. Extinction Spontaneous Recovery Discrimination Generalisation

18. Extinction When the CR declines and disappears because the CS is repeatedly presented in the absence of the UCS. For example, when the bell is presented repeatedly without food present the salivation will eventually disappear.

19. Spontaneous recovery When the CR reappears in a weakened form in response to the CS. For example, the bell is rung some time later and the dog will salivate a little.

20. Generalisation When stimuli similar to the CS produce the CR. For example, the dog will salivate to stimuli similar to bells such as the door bell.

21. Discrimination The CR is only produced in response to the CS and not to similar stimuli. For example, the dog will only salivate in response to the specific bell it has been conditioned with.

22. TASK Now complete the work sheet on classical conditioning.