CLASSIC CONDITIONING

Classic Conditioning

Classic Conditioning

Introduction

There are many different kinds of ways that people and animals learn. People can adjust the way they learn to the different situations in which they are learning and what they have to learn. One form of learning is known as conditioning. Conditioning emphasizes the relationship between stimuli and responses. The two types of conditioning found are Classical conditioning and Operant conditioning. Learning may occur in different ways. Psychologists have distinguished between different types of learning, these being Observational Learning and Insight Learning. Classical conditioning refers to a simple form of learning, which occurs through the repeated association of two or more different stimuli. Learning is only said to have occurred once a particular stimulus always produces a response which it did not previously produce. Classical conditioning involves an unconditioned stimulus and an unconditioned response, as well as a conditioned stimulus and a conditioned response. The unconditioned stimulus is any stimulus, which consistently produces a naturally occurring, automatic response. The unconditioned response is a reflexive and involuntary response, which occurs as a result of the unconditioned stimulus (Pavlov, 1927-1960).

Observational learning involves four stages, attention, retention, reproduction and motivation-reinforcement. If the solution proves to be ineffective then the learner returns back to the stage of incubation. They then retain the information that they have just observed. This experience seems to occur because of some mental event that unexpectedly bridges the gap between the problem and solution. The motivation reinforcement can come from praise from the instructor or fellow dancers, or seeing others dance well and wanting to be able to do the same. The conditioned response is the learned response that is brought forth by the conditioned stimulus. Inside of the cage were two hollow bamboo sticks, one slightly shorter and thinner than the other. The learning appears to occur in a "flash" and what has been leaned is usually performed smoothly and without error.

After a training period, the rat will show the conditioned response of pressing the lever even without the presence of the unconditioned stimulus of the food. Operant conditioning is the learning process in which the likelihood of a particular behavior occurring is determined by the consequences of that behavior. Reproduction is when the learner will reproduce or imitate the actions of the model that they have just observed. Failing once again the chimp sat down with the two sticks in his hands, appearing as though he had given up. However the information continues to be reflected upon on a sub-conscious level (Pavlov, 1927-1960).

The theory of classical conditioning based on an unconditional and a conditioned stimulus and an unconditioned and conditioned response. The unconditioned stimulus (UCS) or the unconditioned stimulus triggered more response from one of them without prior conditioning. In the typical experiment, Pavlov, this is the food that triggers secretion of saliva without a conditioning took place. This stimulus is learned and therefore need not be innate. The saliva flow which we have already mentioned is in this context, the unconditioned ...