Learning Classical Conditioning

1. LearningClassical Conditioning Psychology, Unit 4

2. Today’s Objectives • Identify and apply each of the 3 types of learning to life • Relate the appropriate psychologist to their area of specialty in learning

3. Answer the following questions: • Have you ever gotten sick after eating something and now you can’t look at that type of food? • Is it easy to teach a dog to come to you? Is it easy to teach a dog not to chase rabbits in your yard? • Do you think kids that have violent parents will become violent themselves?

4. 3 Types of Learning • Classical Conditioning • Operant Conditioning • Cognitive Learning

5. 1. Classical Conditioning • Involves reflexive behaviors that automatically follow a stimulus. • While watching a horror movie, you may tense up when you hear scary music begin to play • If someone jumps out at you, you scream and put your hands up in a defensive position • Feeling ill when you see a food that you once threw up

7. 1. Ivan Pavlov • The father of classical (Pavlovian) conditioning • Noticed that dogs salivate when they see food. • Began ringing a bell, then placing food in front of dog • After a while, dog salivates when bell rings even when there is no food present

8. Pavlov loved his work! Can’t you tell?

10. Conditioned and Unconditioned Stimuli • Unconditioned Stimulus: the “thing” your body reflexively reacts to without being taught. • Stomach flu = vomit • Conditioned Stimulus: the “thing” (sound, smell, touch etc) you teach a new reflex to respond to • Smell cinnamon candle while you have the stomach flu; now you get nauseas any time you smell cinnamon • Identify US and CS: I used to wake up when my body and mind felt rested. Now, the second my daughter cries, I wake up and run to her room.

11. Classically Condition your Pulse

12. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • The intensity of the traumatic incident is such that stimuli that were present at the time of the trauma (unconditioned stimulus) become associated with fear and arousal symptoms • Henceforth similar stimuli (now conditioned) trigger responses as if the trauma was recurring.

13. 1. Use of Classical Conditioning in People • Therapists use Classical Conditioning to treat fears and disorders in people • EX: Agoraphobics are people who have an abnormal fear of leaving their homes. This is often treated w/ CC. The Therapist teaches the patient deep relaxation techniques. While in deep relaxation, they are asked to picture opening the front door, then going outside, then to a baseball game. Eventually, actually doing these things reminds the patient of being relaxed and the phobia is cured!

14. 1.Use of Classical Conditioning in People • Medical Doctors have used CC to treat autoimmune disorders w/o drugs that usually have terrible side effects. • They pair an immunosuppressant w/ a smell or food and after a few treatments that smell or food will suppress the immune system w/o the use of the drug.

15. Exit Ticket • List the 3 types of learning • Who is known as the founder of classical conditioning? • Summarize the experiment that proves classical conditioning