Classical Conditioning

The Main Idea

• Classical conditioning is creating an association that does not naturally occur
• Most well-known example: Food+Bell+Dog=Salivate

1.) Start with Unconditioned Elements

• Unconditioned stimulus=Unconditioned response
• These are elements that are naturally connected
• seeing/smelling food=saliva

2.) Introduce Neutral Stimulus

• Neutral Stimulus: unrelated stimulus that doesn't yield desired response
• NS is repeatedly paired with unconditioned stimulus
• food+bell=salivation

3.) Creating the Conditioned Response

• After the NS has been paired repeatedly, it becomes the Conditioned Stimulus
• Conditioned stimulus=conditioned response
• bell=salivate

Closing Thoughts

• Overall, classical conditioning created a link or connection between 2 unrelated things using a preexisting natural connection
• food+bell creates a connection to produce salivation without the need for the food