Lesson 7 - Static Model for Learning in Classical Conditioning

Presentation of Theoretical Construct

 

Lecture Information:

Pavlov's basic model for leaning is relatively simple, Stimulus Response.  That is that the stimulus causes a certain kind of response virtually every time that the stimulus is presented to the organism.  However simple this model is, the complication arises with the different kinds of stimuli and responses.  Please notice the notations in parentheses below, I will be using only the notations to explain the dynamic model later.

1. Types of Stimuli:
   A.  Unconditioned Stimuli (US) - The natural cause of a response, like the smell of tollhouse chocolate chip cookies baking make your stomach growl.
   B.  Conditioned Stimuli (CS) - The unnatural cause of a response, like a dog salivating at the jangling of the janitors keys in Pavlov's experiment.
   C.  Neutral Stimuli (NS) - A stimulus that does not cause any response in the organism, like the smell of other dogs in Pavlov's experiment.

2. Types of Responses:
   A. Unconditioned Response (UR) - The natural reaction to a stimulus, like the stomach growling in the above example.
   B. Conditioned Response (CR) - The unnatural reaction to a stimulus, like the salivation when a dog hears a janitor coming.

3. Characteristics of Classical Conditioning responses:
   A.  All Classical Conditioning Responses have the following in common.  It is the easiest way to discriminate between Classical and Operant conditioning.

   1. Reflex reaction

   2. Physiological

   3. Involuntary

Back to Lesson 7 Index