(my super-cool graph that took me forever to make did not show up, so, that's a bummer)
Classical Conditioning
The theory of classical conditioning is based on the idea that behavior that is natural can be modified with a conditioned stimulus that will produce an unnatural response. An unconditioned stimulus produces an unconditioned, or natural, response. A conditioned, or neutral, stimulus is introduced and causes a conditioned, or unnatural, response to the neutral stimulus. The theory of classical conditioning is part of the foundation of the science of behavior, and is an important element in understanding human behavior. Examples of classical conditioning relevant to modern psychology are evident in everyday life, in every species.
Theory of Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning is a series of experiments that modifies behavior according to a conditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response. An unconditioned stimulus “…elicits a natural and automatic response…” (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009, p. 167). A conditioned stimulus is a neutral stimulus that “…does not elicit a natural and automatic response…” (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009, p. 167). The most popular example of classical conditioning is Ivan Pavlov’s dogs. A dog is given food, which is the unconditioned stimulus. In response to the presentation of food the dog salivates, which is the unconditioned response. After so many times of presenting the food with the sound of the bell, which is a conditioned stimulus, the natural salivation becomes consistent in response to the sound of the bell. With classical conditioning the subject has no control over the reinforcement based on the responses given as a result of the stimuli (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2009).
In real life, outside the laboratory, classical conditioning is evident in many situations. While clicker training a dog, for example, a trainer will speak a command, such as sit, while pushing the clicker. When the dog performs the action of sitting he is rewarded with a treat. After so many times of hearing the clicker with the verbal sit command, the dog will associate the sit command with the clicker. The verbal command is the unconditioned stimulus; and the unconditioned response is the action of sitting. The conditioned stimulus is the sound of clicker presented with the verbal sit command, which will produce a conditioned response, the action of sitting in response to the conditioned stimulus (the clicker) without the presence of the verbal sit command. Another example of classical conditioning is spanking a child with a wooden spoon (this action, however, is not a recommended method of discipline). The unconditioned stimulus is the spanking and the unconditioned response is fear. When the child colors on the wall with her crayons, the mother spanks the child with the wooden spoon (conditioned stimulus), eliciting an unconditioned response of fear and pain. Every time the child misbehaves, the mother spanks her with the wooden spoon. Eventually the child will associate the wooden spoon (conditioned stimulus) with getting spanked, and even the sight of the wooden spoon will elicit the feelings of fear (conditioned response).
Bumps in the Road
On most highways and interstates across the country there are grooves embedded in the asphalt on the shoulder of the road that cause the tires of a vehicle to make a loud rumbling sound. The purpose of these bumps, or grooves, is to alert sleepy drivers, or drivers who are not paying attention, that they are about to drive off the highway. Allen and Theresa are taking a long road trip home after vacation. They are limited on time and decide that Allen will drive all night while Theresa sleeps; and Theresa will take over driving in the morning so Allen can sleep. They have their two small children in the truck, and are towing a heavy trailer home. The weather is stormy all night long, with wind, rain, lightning, and thunder blustering all around. Each time the wind blows hard the trailer sways, causing the truck to veer onto the shoulder of the road. Each time the truck veers onto the shoulder, the sound of the tires rumbling on the grooves jolts Theresa awake. Startled she thinks to herself each time “at least those bumps do their job!” Early the next morning, less than halfway home, Theresa awakens to the sound of the grooves and watches as the truck veers into the sand and gravel median, jackknifes sideways, and rolls completely over. After the accident, and subsequent emergency room visit for minor injuries, Allen and Theresa rent a moving truck, load up their children and the remains of their belongings, and drive home.
Allen drives all night home, and every bump in the road and every transition from asphalt to concrete (for example when crossing over a bridge) produce feelings of nervousness and slight fear in Theresa. Hearing the sound of tires on the grooves, even from other vehicles, cause severe anxiety. Theresa is conditioned to respond to the noises on the road with fear because she associates the noises with the traumatic accident. Common driving conditions become triggers that alter her behavior. This is an extreme example of classical conditioning.
Application of Classical Conditioning Theory
The chart below shows the amount of fear Theresa experienced while riding in a vehicle before and after the accident. The level of fear is on a scale of one to four, with one being a neutral response and four being extreme fear and anxiety. The grooves in the road represent the unconditioned stimulus in the theory of classical conditioning. The loud sounds the tires make elicit a natural response, which is to be startled awake. The conditioned stimulus is the accident, which is associated with the sound of the grooves. In response to the conditioned stimulus Theresa’s behavior becomes unnatural, which is waking in terror at the sound of the grooves, and being frightened in response to other loud noises.
Conclusion
Instinctual behavior can be changed and shaped by outside stimuli in everyday circumstances, such as a cat associating the sound of the can opener with food. Classical conditioning is a theory that can be related to modern science and common occurrences. Understanding how classical conditioning works helps psychologists recognize the sources of, and modify their patients’ negative behavior. Someone like Theresa could benefit from positive conditioning, and re-associating the unconditioned stimulus with a more natural response.
Reference
Olson, M.H. & Hergenhahn, B.R. (2009). An introduction to theories of learning (8th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
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