Classical Conditioning

Key Concepts

Classical Conditioning: This is a learning process in which an existing involuntary response is attached to a new stimulus.
Unconditioned Stimulus (US): This is a stimulus that naturally, or unconditionally, brings about a response. For example, food is a US for salivation.
Unconditioned Response (UR): This is the response that is naturally triggered by the US. In the previous example, salivation would be the UR.
Conditioned Stimulus (CS): This is previously neutral stimulus that, after repeated association with the US, comes to bring about a response. For example, if a bell is repeatedly presented with food, the bell eventually becomes the CS.
Conditioned Response (CR): The response to the CS. In the previous example, the CR would be salivating in response to the bell.

The concept of Classical Conditioning was first illustrated through Pavlov’s dogs study. Pavlov himself was a Russian physiologist who studied digestion.
In the study, Pavlov paired the sound of a bell (CS) with food (US). Initially, the dogs salivated (UR) only to the food. As the pairing was repeated over time, the dogs began to salivate (CR) even to the sound of the bell alone.

Acquisition: This is the process through which an association is made between the US and CS.
Extinction: If the CS is repeatedly presented without the US, the CR will eventually diminish and disappear. This is known as extinction.
Spontaneous Recovery: After a pause following extinction, the CR may suddenly reappear when the CS is presented. This is called spontaneous recovery.
Generalization: The CR may not just occur in response to the exact CS, but also to stimuli that are similar to it. This is called generalisation.
Discrimination: This is the opposite of generalisation. It involves learning to respond only to a specific CS and not to similar stimuli.

Classical Conditioning principles have been used in behavioural therapies like systematic desensitisation, which is effective in treating phobias.
It can explain aspects of emotional responses (like fear or pleasure), certain aspects of addictive behaviour, and other complex human behaviours.

While Classical Conditioning has great explanatory power, its focus on observable behaviours restricts its ability to fully explain complex human behaviour.
Often, Classical Conditioning is most effective at explaining more simple, reflexive behaviours rather than complex ones.
Even though Pavlov’s study provides empirical support for Classical Conditioning, it has been criticised for its lack of ecological validity.