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Essay / Classical Conditioning Theory of Learning by Ivan Pavlov
Table of ContentsAspects of Watson's TheoryDefinition of Classical Conditioning TheorySteps of Classical ConditioningExamples of Classical Conditioning Theory in Real LifeConclusionWorks Cited: Understanding Human Behavior has always been an attractive field that has driven scientists to do countless researches throughout history. John B. Watson, the father of American behaviorist (1878-1958), was one such scientist who studied this area. He therefore worked on “learning theory” which interprets the behavior of individuals through the perspectives of several sub-theories; was founded by, he founded the first school of behaviorism in 1912. Watson conducted a number of experiments, including the famous child experiment (Little Albert). Watson's work was based on Pavlov's experiments on the dog's digestive system. He researched classical conditioning and believed that all individual differences in behavior resulted from different learning experiences. He therefore viewed individuals as a blank slate that can be filled with any external experience. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Ivan Pavlov discovered the classical theory and then it was adopted by John Watson. John Watson proposed that classical conditioning theory is capable of interpreting all aspects of human psychology and behavior. Everything, like speech and emotional responses, was just patterns of response and stimulus. Watson completely ignored the influence of the mind or consciousness. Famous quote from John Watson: "Give me a dozen healthy, well-formed children and my own specified world to raise them in and I will guarantee to take anyone at random and take them at random." train him to become any type of specialist I might choose – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant leader and, yes, even beggar and thief, whatever his talents, his inclinations, his tendencies, his abilities, his vocations and the race of his ancestors. .Aspects of Watson's theory He contradicted mentalist concepts, used contiguity to interpret learning, pointed to feelings and emotions as another example of classical conditioning, and he denied the idea of individual differences. He viewed behaviors as the result of combinations of reflexes and believed that practice reinforces learning. Classical Conditioning Theory Definition It is the process of learning a new behavior by association. For example, two stimuli are both associated to give us a new reaction learned in an individual. Stages of Classical Conditioning There are 3 stages of classical conditioning. The first stage is “before conditioning,” where the unconditioned stimulus in the environment produces an unconditioned response. The second stage is “during conditioning,” when the unconditioned stimulus transforms into the conditioned stimulus. As Saul McLeod says in his article Classical Conditioning, "Often during this stage the UCS must be paired with the CS on several occasions, or trials, for learning to take place." The 3rd stage is “after conditioning” when the conditioned stimulus is accomplished and is associated with the conditioned response. Studies: Pavlov conducted studies on dogs and one of the experiments involved putting a dog in an insulated box. Then the food is provided to the dog and it is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) which increases the saliva of the.