1. Lecture #15: Learning -- Classical Conditioning, Part I Copyright © 2002 L.A. Lowe

2. Learning vs. Conditioning  A process that produces a change in the behavior or the knowledge of an individual.  Based on their previous experiences.  A process of learning connections between events occurring in the environment and your behavioral responses to them.

3. Classical Conditioning (CC)  Fathers” of CC:  “Fathers” of CC:  Ivan Pavlov Russian digestive physiologist. Russian digestive physiologist.  John B. Watson Behaviorism’s founder. Behaviorism’s founder.

4. Classical Conditioning (Def’n.)  CC is a type of learning in which:  one neutral stimulus or event  predicts or represents another stimulus or event  by being repeatedly paired together,  wherein both stimuli / events come to evoke  the SAME unlearned, reflexive, involuntary response.

5. Terms in Classical Conditioning  UCS -- unconditioned stimulus  any unlearned environmental stimulus that naturally elicits a reflexive, involuntary response (e.g., pain).  UCR -- unconditioned response  any unlearned, reflexive, involuntary response (fear).  CS -- conditioned stimulus  a previously neutral, now learned stimulus that naturally elicits the SAME reflexive, involuntary response as an UCS (e.g., dentist’s drill).  CR -- conditioned response  same response as UCR, but now elicited as reaction to CS, not UCS (e.g., fear reaction to dentist’s drill).

6. Classical Conditioning -- Step I Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) Food Unconditioned Response (UCR) Salivation, running to kitchen, wagging tail Step I: UCS & UCR

7. Classical Conditioning -- Step II Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) Can of food Unconditioned Response (UCR) Salivation, running to kitchen, wagging tail Conditioned Stimulus (CS) Sound of can opener Repeated Associations Step II: CS  UCS acquisition phase

8. Classical Conditioning -- Step III Conditioned Stimulus (CS) Sound of can opener Conditioned Response (CR) Salivation, running to kitchen, wagging tail Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) Can of food Repeated Associations No longer required......Conditioning is complete: i.e., learning occurred. Step III: CS  CR acquisition phase

9. Classical Conditioning -- Another Example Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) Lifting weights/working out Step I: UCS & UCR Unconditioned Response (UCR)  SNS arousal,  heart rate, breathing rate

10. Another Example -- Step II Conditioned Stimulus (CS) Song: “You dont want Drama.” Step II: CS  UCS acquisition phase Unconditioned Response (UCR)  SNS arousal,  heart rate and breathing Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) Lifting weights/ working out Only 1 association required

11. Another Example -- Step III Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) Lifting/ working out Only 1 association required...Conditioning is complete: i.e., “pumped up” from song= CR. Step III: CS  CR acquisition phase Conditioned Response (CR)  SNS arousal,  breathing and heart rate Conditioned Stimulus (CS) Song: “You dont want drama”

12. Learning -- Definitions  Behaviorism’s definition:  Changes in behavior that result from our experience w/ the external environment: i.e., we acquire behaviors via S  R relationships: i.e., we acquire behaviors via S  R relationships:  (S)  S  R = classical conditioning (Pavlov and Watson): » subliminal, unconscious learning/cond.  S  R  (S) = operant conditioning (Skinner): » hedonism “conditions” behavior. » learning / conditioning via consequences (reinforcement vs. punishment).

13. Learning -- Definitions (cont’d.)  Cognitive psychology’s definition:  Changes in the mental representations / memories / perceptions that result from our experiences with the external environment:  Changes in perceptions that influence behavior.  Learning is an internal, mental process.