Classical conditioning

Classical conditioning

1. Classical conditioning works by building an association with two stimuli.

2. A neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus is needed.

   • Neutral stimulus - this is something that doesn't cause a response e.g. a bell
   • Unconitioned stimulus - produces a response that is unconditioned, e.g. blinking, salivating (food)
   • The neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are presented at the same time until the previously neutral stimulus has the same affect as the unconditioned stimulus, e.g. blinking. So a bell presented with food would lead to salivating. The behaviour (salivating) is now a conditioned response and the trigger (bell) is a conditioned stimulus.

3. Food (UCS) ----> Salivation (UCR)

4. Bell (NS) ----> no response

5. Bell and food (NS+UCS) ----> Salivation (UCR)

6. Bell (CS) ----> Salivation (CR)

7. Extinction

   • This is when the association between the neutral stimulus and the unconitioned response is broken. This is done by presenting the neutral stimulus without the unconditioned stimulus. Eventually the association between them will be broken.

8. Spontaneous recovery

   • This is when, after a few hours, the neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are presented together again and the learned response appears again, showing that the behsviour was never extinguished completely.

9. Supported by Watson & Rayner (1920) (Little Albert)