Classical Conditioning

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Classical conditioning is a learning process in which an individual learns to associate an

unconditioned stimulus that already brings about a particular response with a new
conditioned stimulus so that the new stimulus brings about the same response as the
unconditioned stimulus.

About Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning is associated with psychologist Ivan Pavlov and his classic
experiment with dogs. In his experiment, Pavlov conditioned dogs to associate the sound
of a bell with the presence of food. Prior to conditioning, the sound of the bell alone did
not elicit a response from the dogs, however, the presence of food did make the dogs
salivate. As part of the conditioning process, Pavlov paired the food with the sound of the
bell so that the dogs began to associate the food with the sound of the bell. The
conditioning was achieved when the sound of the bell on its own made the dog salivate in
anticipation of the food.

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Classical Conditioning Terms
Unconditioned stimulus is a naturally occurring stimulus that produces a response
without any previous learning.

Unconditioned response is the automatic or reflexive response to the unconditioned

stimulus. It is involuntary behavior that occurs with no conscious awareness.

An unconditioned stimulus produces an unconditioned response.

Example: A kiss (unconditioned stimulus) naturally produces an elevated heart rate

(unconditioned response).

NOTE: The elevated heart rate is a natural response, not a learned response.

Neutral stimulus is a stimulus that produces no particular response.

After the association and conditioning, the neutral stimulus becomes known as the
conditioned stimulus and the learned behavior is known as the conditioned
response.

Conditioned response is the learned response to the previously neutral stimulus.

A conditioned stimulus produces a conditioned response.

NOTE: Unconditioned response as completely natural, while a conditioned response is a

learned behavior.

The Learning Process

The learning process involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned naturally
occurring stimulus that already elicits a desired response. Eventually, after continuous
pairings, the neutral stimulus becomes closely associated with the unconditioned stimulus.
Because of this close association, the neutral stimulus comes to elicit the same response as
the naturally occurring stimulus, even without the naturally occurring stimulus presenting
itself.

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Phases of Learning
Classical conditioning involves three basic phases.

Phase 1: Before Conditioning

The classical conditioning process begins by identifying a naturally occurring stimulus
(unconditioned stimulus) that elicits an automatic or reflexive response (unconditioned
response). Examples of stimulus that invoke automatic responses inclu

In this first phase, a neutral stimulus is also identified. It is referred to as a neutral

stimulus because it produces no conditioned response at this point.

Phase 2: During Conditioning

During the second phase, the neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with the unconditioned
stimulus. As a result of this continuous pairing, an association is formed between the
neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus. Eventually, the neutral stimulus
becomes known as the conditioned stimulus because the subject has now been
“conditioned” to respond to this stimulus.

Phase 3: After Conditioning

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Once the association has been made between the unconditioned stimulus and the
conditioned stimulus, presenting the conditioned stimulus alone will evoke a response even
without the presence of the unconditioned stimulus. This response is referred to as a
conditioned response because the response was learned or conditioned.

Basically, the subject has been conditioned to elicit an involuntary, automatic, reflexive
response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Learning Theories

Learning Theories

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Cognitive Learning Theory

Social Cognitive Theory

Observational Learning

Types of Behavioral Learning

Behavioral Learning

Operant Conditioning

Accelerated Learning

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