Classical Vs. Classical Conditioning - 1095 Words

Classical Conditioning In this paper, Classical Conditioning is explored by first giving a general definition along with the general phases of basic classical conditioning. Then, more insight is given about the developers of this learning process and their experiments: Ivan Pavlov and his dog experiment and John B. Watson and Little Albert experiment. Finally, real-world applications of this learning process are introduced such as how to treat phobias, addictions and achieve good classroom behavior. Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was born in Russia in 1849. He was first educated at church school and as a teen studied to be a Russian Orthodox priest. However, he later focused on science and studied medicine in Russia and Germany, accepting posts in†¦show more content†¦However, he lost this job and got a divorce after he had an affair with a graduate student. In 1913, Watson published the article Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It. The article focused on how human beings should be observed in a manner similar to how animals are studied. Most importantly, he rejected the notion psychology should be based on the study of consciousness. He would go on to write a book on the subject Behaviorism. Watson received a great award from the American Psychological Association for his work in the field and passed away on September 25, 1958. In 1889, Pavlov began experiments first focusing on digestion investigating the digestive process between the salivation and the reactions of the stomach but eventually led to classical conditioning. He repeatedly rang a bell, a neutral stimulus that did not cause a response, and then gave the dogs with meat powder, which caused the response of salivation without any learning. Eventually, the dogs began to respond (salivate) at the sound of the bell. In other words, the dogs had learned to predict that the sound of the bell would be followed by presentation of the meat powder. This proved their reflexes could be conditioned by external stimuli. Specifically, after they were conditioned by the ringing of a bell at feeding time, they would reflexively salivate upon hearing the bell, whether or not food was present In 1920, Watson