Classical

Conditioning

Educational uses for classical conditioning

By Amelia Praetzel
WHAT IS CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING?

It is a learning process that occurs

when two stimuli are repeatedly
paired: a response which is at first
elicited by the second stimulus is
eventually elicited by the first
stimulus alone.
Classical Conditioning in Action:
 You may be most familiar with Pavlov’s Dogs

Ivan Pavlov contributed greatly to the Ivan Pavlov’s experimentations

study of conditioned reflexes. His
discovery was stumbled upon while
conducting research on digestion in
dogs; the dogs knew that their food was
coming before it arrived. The stimulus
(in this case the cart of food) caused a
response (the dogs salivating). Pavlov’s
experiments led to multiple findings.
Photo courtesy of Google Images.

Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Rehman CI. Classical Conditioning. [Updated 2019 Jun 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Oct 24. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470326/
 Pavlov’s Discoveries: The Big 3
● Establishment, generalization, and discrimination

● The influence of classical conditioning regarding:

○ Human health and therapies
○ Emotion
○ Motivation

● Classical conditioning as a basic form of learning

Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Rehman CI. Classical

Conditioning.
Stimulus Establishment
When attempting to associate a stimulus with a conditioned response, the
stimulus needs to be clear and distinct.

The timing between the presentation of the neutral stimulus and the
unconditioned stimulus is also important.

Frequent presentation of the neutral stimulus without the unconditioned

stimulus eventually leads to the disappearance of the conditioned response.
However, the conditioned response may be quickly reestablished by pairing the
stimuli.
Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Rehman CI. Classical
Conditioning.
Stimulus Generalization

Stimulus generalization takes place when a conditioned response occurs as a

result of a stimulus other than the unconditioned stimulus.

Jim used the restart sound of his computer as a neutral stimulus and gave
Dwight a mint. If Dwight expects a mint when a text message sounds, his
conditioned response occurs as a result of a general stimulus.

Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Rehman CI. Classical

Conditioning.
Stimulus Specification

Stimulus specification takes place when a conditioned response occurs only as a

result of the unconditioned stimulus.

If Dwight only expects a mint when he hears the restart of Jim’s computer, and
not when Pam’s computer restarts or when someone gets a text, then he
responds only to specific stimulus.

Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Rehman CI. Classical

Conditioning.
 Human Health
Classical Conditioning is beneficial to human development and therapeutic
recovery.

Cue exposure therapy (an addiction treatment) exposes the subject to

stimuli associated with addiction. These stimuli (sights, smells, locations,
people, etc.) when repeatedly introduced, and without engaging in
addictive behavior, lose their power to induce craving.

Aversion therapy targets unwanted behavior and associates it with an

unpleasant experience. For example, baking cookies with salt instead of
sugar will help someone struggling with avoiding sweets. This intentionally
forms a paired association between desserts and gag reflex.

Classical Conditioning and Addiction. (2019). Retrieved 24 October 2019, from

https://www.mentalhelp.net/addiction/and-classical-conditioning/
 Emotion
Conditioned emotional responses (CERs) are quite common; stage
fright, arachnophobia, test anxiety, fear of heights, etc.

CERs may be disagreeable or delightful; they can remind a student of an

unpleasant situation, like a bad work environment, or a pleasant
situation, like a fun Christmas tradition.

CERs may be stimulated by odors, sights, sounds, tastes, contacts, etc.

CERs can develop from any situation in which an experience causes a

strong emotion.

Russell A. Dewey, P. (2019). Conditional Emotional Responses | in Chapter 05: Conditioning. Retrieved 26
October 2019, from https://www.psywww.com/intropsych/ch05-conditioning/conditional-emotional-responses.html
 Motivation
Self-determined motivation (actions of my own accord) occur when one
feels autonomous in a situation. Rose is self-motivated in any task
regarding cooking because she feels autonomous in it.

Non-self-determined motivation (actions forced upon me) occur to

attain a pleasurable outcome or to avoid a disagreeable outcome. Ryan
used to feel anxious and frustrated when he sat at a piano because he
felt forced to play by his teacher (even if he was playing songs of his
choice).

Ratelle, C., Baldwin, M., & Vallerand, R. (2005). On the cued activation of situational motivation. Journal
Of Experimental Social Psychology, 41(5), 482-487. doi: 10.1016/j.jesp.2004.10.001
 Motivation

In the first scenario, the stimuli (cooking) is associated with freedom,

good food smells, the warmth of the stove, etc. so her response is
positive.

In the second scenario, the stimuli (piano) is associated with anxiety,

discipline, monotony, frustration, etc. so his response is negative.

Ratelle, C., Baldwin, M., & Vallerand, R.

 Classical Conditioning and Learning

Teachers may use classical conditioning in the classroom to

increase student performance.

Letting the students finish early when concepts are grasped is a

stimulus for active learning in class.

Teaching from different areas of the classroom is a stimulus for

good behavior.

Acting positively (rewarding) toward students’ good attempts

creates a conditioned response of doing one’s best

Lineros, J., Hinojosa, M. (2012). Theories of Learning and Student Development, National Forum of Teacher
Education Journal, 22(3), pg 2.
http://www.nationalforum.com/Electronic%20Journal%20Volumes/Lineros,%20Jose%20
Victor%20Theories%20of%20Learning%20and%20Student%20Development%20NFTEJ%20V22%20N3%202012.pdf
Classical Conditioning and Learning

Classical conditioning in the classroom may also occur and have

a negative effect on students..

Giving pop quizzes causes anxiety and lack of attention.

Teaching a set of concepts and testing on different material

motivates not studying to avoid disappointment on tests.

Drawing negative attention toward certain students and positive

attention toward other students causes closed mindset and a
lack of motivation in the classroom.
 Classical Conditioning and Learning

Classical Conditioning in the classroom can only do so much; it’s

goal is creating desired responses rather than the student’s
mental process regarding thought processes and results.

Popular opinion states that it is “too simplistic to explain all

learning” and is not necessary for learning to take place.

Thus, while it may have its place in learning, it should not be the
focus of the classroom teaching style.

Lineros, J., Hinojosa, M.

 Identify the Parts
The link below will take you to an activity that will
test your understanding of classical conditioning. In
this game, the player must read five scenarios and
select the correct parts: the unconditioned stimulus
(US), unconditioned response (UR), conditioned
stimulus (CS), and conditioned response (CR).

https://www.purposegames.com/game/classical-
conditioning-quiz

HAPPY LEARNING!