Classical Conditioning

Pavlov's Apparatus
Harness and fistula (mouth tube) help keep dog in a consistent position and gather uncontaminated saliva samples. They do not cause the dog discomfort. (Carlson, 1997)

 

Placing the food powder in the dog's mouth was no longer necessary to elicit salivation. When learning took place, the sound by itself was sufficient to elicit salivation. Pavlov, therefore, showed that a neutral stimulus (bell sound) can elicit a response similar to the original reflex (salivation) when the previously neutral stimulus (bell sound) predicts the occurrence of a significant stimulus (food powder) (Carlson, 1997).

Consequently, learning occurred in that there was a CHANGE in behavior due to an association between two stimuli – the Conditioned Stimulus and the Unconditioned Stimulus. This association between the Conditioned Stimulus and the Unconditioned Stimulus is why Classical Conditioning is also called Associative Learning.

 

Division of Social Sciences: Psychology

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