Psychology Chapter 7: Pavlov and Conditioning

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov

• Renowned for his research on conditioned reflexes and classical conditioning.
• Did not identify as a psychologist; focused on physiological processes.

Pavlov's Dogs - Investigation of Digestion

• Groundbreaking experiment demonstrating classical conditioning.
• Developed from research on dogs’ salivation in response to feeding.

Achievements

• Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1904.
• Funded research by selling gastric juices from dogs.

Pavlov's Discovery

• Observed that food loss through a gastric fistula still triggered gastric fluid production.
• Showed that the stomach could respond without direct stimulation by food.

Key Terms in Classical Conditioning

• Unconditioned Stimulus (US): Naturally elicits an unconditioned response without prior learning (e.g., food).
• Unconditioned Response (UR): Reflexive reaction to the US (e.g., salivating).
• Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A previously neutral stimulus that elicits a response after learning occurs.
• Conditioned Response (CR): Response learned through association with the CS.
• Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially does not provoke any specific response.

Development of Conditioned Reflex

• Repeated pairing of CS and US leads to a direct relationship between CS and CR after learning.

Experimental Extinction

• Weakening of CR occurs when the CS is presented without the US over time.

Spontaneous Recovery

• The resurgence of a learned response occurs after a period of extinction.

Higher-Order Conditioning

• A strong CS can cause a neutral stimulus to become a second CS through association.

Reinforcers

• Primary Reinforcer: Naturally rewarding stimulus (e.g., food).
• Secondary Reinforcer: Becomes reinforcing after association with a primary reinforcer (e.g., praise).

Generalization and Discrimination

• Generalization: Similar stimuli can elicit the same CR as the CS.
• Discrimination: Ability to differentiate between the CS and non-significant stimuli.

Conditioning Techniques

• Optimal Interval Presentation: Present CS followed immediately by US for best results.
• Backward Conditioning: Present US before CS to demonstrate a relationship's informational context.

Cortical Mosaic

• Represents the brain's pattern of excitation and inhibition, influencing behavior at any moment.

Excitation and Inhibition

• Two primary forms of activity within the nervous system; stimuli can induce one or the other.

Major Theoretical Concepts

• Dynamic Stereotype: Automatic behaviors formed from repeated exposure to similar environments.
• Irradiation of Excitation: Activation in one brain area spreads to adjacent areas.
• Concentration: Localized excitation resulting in behavior, typically after extensive training.

Types of Conditioning Responses

• Excitatory Conditioning (CS+): Active response conditioning leading to avoidance behavior (e.g., food aversion).
• Conditioned Inhibition (CI): Results in a lack of response to a stimulus when inhibitory associations are formed.

Orienting Reflex

• Natural tendency to focus on and explore new or novel stimuli.