Classical Conditioning Paradigm

Created by Ivan Pavlov

Developed theory during research on dog salivation

Components of Classical Conditioning

Neutral stimulus (NS)

Unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

Unconditioned response (UCR)

Conditioned stimulus (CS)

Conditioned response (CR)

NS→

(dies not elicit UCR)

UCS→ UCR

(exposure to UCS elicits UCR)

CS→CR

Orignially, the subject does not perceive any relationship between the NS and the UCS.

After the NS is paired with the UCS, it becomes a CS, and elicits a CR.

Elicits: Stimulus automatically leads to a response

Paired: When the subject is exposed to the NS and UCS together, they become paired.

Salience: Degree to which a stimulus is relevant to subject. The UCS will always be more salient than the CS, and the UCR will always be stronger than the CR.

Increasing a classically conditioned response

Increase the number of pairings

Each time the NS is paired to the UCS, the connection strengthens, making the CS more salient

Increase strength of UCS

Increasing the salience of the UCS makes it more likely that an NS will be paired with it, and become a CS.

Contiguity

Implementing the NS and the UCS close together in time increases the strength of the pairing

Decreasing a classically conditioned response

Extinction

If the UCS does not occur after the CS, over time the CR will diminish and stop, so that the NS is no longer paired with the UCS.

Counter-conditioning

A new, more desirable conditioned response replaces the original CR. This occurs when the new CS is more salient than the old CS. Also, the new response should be incompatible with the old one.

Exhaustion

Occurs through overexposure to the CS. Constant exposure to the CS causes the subject to habituate to it.

Stimulus Control

Generalization

Any stimulus that is similar to the CS produces the CR

Discrimination

The CR is produced only by the CS

Higher-order Conditioning

A new NS is paired with the CS (not the UCS), and elicits the CR. The new NS therefore becomes a CS.

Applying Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning can be applied to real world settings in a variety of ways. For example:

Education settings

Test or math anxiety

Positive associations

Nutritional settings

Food aversions, addictions

Language settings

Anxiety over speaking

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