Classical Conditioning : a brief description about learning process

APSARA KATUWAL DANGOL

Classical conditioning is a learning process (can be reflexive or automatic) which occurs through interactions with the environment. Ivan Pavlov, a Russian Psychologist discovered Classical Conditioning. It has influenced the school of thought in psychology i.e. Behaviorism.During 1913, John Watson supported the idea of Pavlov claiming that classical conditioning was able to explain all the aspects of human psychology.

Key terms with their meaning

Unconditioned Stimulus ( UCS): It is natural stimulus which occurs unconditionally or naturally.

Conditioned Stimulus (CS): It is neutral stimulus which is associated with UCS triggering Conditioned response.

Unconditioned Response (UR): It is a unlearned response which occurs naturally with UCS.

Conditioned Response (CR): It is learned response to a previously neutral stimulus.

Classical Conditioning Process

Classical Conditioning Process generally includes three basic phases:

Phase I: Before Conditioning
This first phase needs a naturally occurring stimulus. It automatically elicits the response of the living organism. For example: when we see pickle, our mouth becomes watery. In this phase, unconditioned stimulus (UCS) results in a unconditioned response (UCR). The pickle act as the neutral stimulus.

Phase II: During Conditioning

In the second phase, the neutral stimulus is associated with Unconditioned Stimulus repeatedly because of which pairing between neutral and unconditioned stimulus occurs. Then, neutral stimulus act as a conditioned stimulus.

For example, if you are in a hostel and if the cook of hostel rings a bell to take pickle with your food, then bell act as a conditioned stimulus to which you will show a conditioned response.

Phase III: After Conditioning

In the third phase, when UCS and CS are associated, presenting CS will naturally evoke response without UCS. For example, after you hear the bell, the conditioned response will occur though UCS is absent.

About Writer

Apsara Katuwal Dangol, is writer, educator, and psychosocial counselor. She writes articles which covers topics related to general and developmental psychology. She teaches to MA Clinical Psychology students as Developmental Psychology Mentor at Tri-Chandra College, and General Psychology at Shubhashree College of Management.

References:

Classical Conditioning

https://www.simplypsychology.org/classical-conditioning.html

What is Classical Conditioning?

https://www.verywell.com/classical-conditioning-2794859

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