The subject of classical conditioning has been explored widely over the years, Also known as Pavlovian conditioning, classical condition refers to a learning procedure whereby a biologically potent stimuli such as food is paired with a stimuli that is previous considered to have been neutral. The pairing of the two stimuli causes some kind of response from the animal or individual that is being tested. In other words, the neutral stimuli will create a response that is similar to that which was previously associated with the potent stimuli. The subject of classical conditioning was first studied by Ivan Pavlov in 1897. The concept has been used to explain how operant conditions can cause voluntary behavior. Furthermore, it is used as the basis for explaining how instrumental and operant conditioning can be achieved or changed through punishment or reinforcement. In this case, it is argued that the classically conditioned stimuli enhances the operant behavior. The process entails inducing reward choices that promote certain behaviors and actions. The aim of this paper is to analyze the Pavlov study and compare it to recent study on classical conditioning. The primary objective is to determine the areas of convergence and divergence in the two studies. In addition, attempts are made to compare the manner in which the concept of classical conditioning was studied in both cases.
The first area of focus in this paper was the Pavlov’s study that was done in 1897. Pavlov conducted an experiment that entail conditioning salivation response in a dog. The salivation was brought about through classical conditioning. Pavlov stated that classical condition was a form of learning where a certain conditioned stimuli becomes linked to an unconditioned stimulus (Hock, 2015). Once the animal is exposed to the two stimuli, even the unconditioned one will cased a behavioral response that was not previously linked to it. Furthermore, Pavlov strived to identify the various forms of classical conditioning that could be achieved and studied. While conducting his study on the physiology of digestion in dogs, Pavlov came up with an important procedure that allowed him to explore digestive processes in animals over a long period (Hock, 2015). The process entailed directing the digestive fluids in the animals outside the body with the objective of measuring them. While engaging in the scientific experiments, Pavlov realized that the dogs which took part in the experiments could salivate in the presence of the technician who was tasked with feeding them. He called the phenomenon anticipatory salivation and linked it to psychic secretion of fluid once the dogs saw the technician. It is on the basis of such observations that Pavlov opted to come up with an experimental test that would eventually lead to the creation of the concept of classical conditioning. During the experimental tests, Pavlov would present stimuli like metronome sound before giving the dogs their usual food. After a few repetitive undertakings, the dogs would salivate in the response to the external stimuli even when the food had not been brought to them. In other words, the sounding of the bell was able to cause a behavioral response that was initially linked to another biologically potent stimuli, which in this case was food. Based on the results, Pavlov concluded that if a certain stimulus in the dog’s surrounding was present during the feeding time, then it could become associated with the food. In the end, the dog would salivate on its own once the stimuli was introduced even in the absence of food.
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The concept of classical conditioning has also been studied in recent years. In addition, attempts have been made to determine how the concept can be applied to different areas of biology and medicine. An example is the study titled Temporal properties of fear extinction—Does time matter? by Golkar, Bellander, and Öhman (2013). According to the authors, fear of extinction refers to the weakening of expression of conditioned responses. In addition, it is a concept that is associated with experience of non-reinforcement over a long period. There are two primary models of fear of extinction that have been developed. The first one is linked to Rescorla while the other is linked to Prokasy. In both cases, the significance of the Pavlovian response have been highlighted. Golkar et al. (2013) conducted their study to evaluate the time and rate of conditioning when one is exposed to non-reinforced conditioned stimulus (CS). Furthermore, the authors wanted measure fear-potentiated startle response. The results of the study showed that the non-reinforced conditioned stimulus response and the fear-potentiated startle response differed in terms of response rate and duration. However, it was also stated that the response duration did not predict recovery from fear.
Both the classical Pavlov study and the study that was done by Golkar et al. (2013) explored the issue of classical conditioning. In both cases, the authors highlighted the fact that non-conditioned stimuli is also capable of causing responses and behaviors that are associated with a potent stimuli. In the two studies, however, the response was measured in different ways. In the case of Pavlov, the focus was on the way external stimuli could cause salivation in dogs even in the absence of food. In the second case, the researchers focused on the way external stimuli could cause the fear of extinction (Hock, 2015; Golkar et al., 2013). Another critical observation that was made in the two studies is that learning occurs rapidly when the intervals of the conditioned response and the non-conditioned response was relatively short. In other words, the simultaneous exposure of animals to both types of stimuli would result into greater classical conditioning effect compared to cases where there is a lag between the introductions of the two stimuli. In the case of the dogs, for instance, it was imperative for Pavlov to introduce both stimuli at the same time to achieve the desired results. Finally, the two studies highlight the importance of repetition when it comes to classical conditioning. It is through the repeated exposure to the stimuli that the animals are able to respond to the unconditioned stimuli. The same trend was observed in the recent study that was done by Golkar et al. (2013). However, the researchers also made an important observation that the duration of exposure to the non-classical stimuli did not affect the manner in which the responses occurred. Such claims need to be investigated further to expound on the subject of classical conditioning.
In conclusion, the concept of classical conditioning is an important subject in the fields of medicine and psychology. It has been used as the basis for explaining how some responses occur in animals. Pavlov was the first person to make the observations related to classical conditioning. In addition, he carried out empirical studies to test how dogs responded to stimuli. Since then, researchers have been able to conduct further investigations on the subject. In addition, different elements of the concept, including the response time have been studied. The study by Golkar et al. (2013) is an example of a recent research that has explored the Pavlovian conditioning. Just like in the early studies, Golkar et al. (2013) noted that neutral stimuli could also cause conditioned responses in an animal. The studies provide a basis for exploring the Pavlovian conditioning concept and determining how it can be used in the field of psychology.
References
Golkar, A., Bellander, M., & Öhman, A. (2013). Temporal properties of fear extinction—Does time matter? Behavioral Neuroscience, 127 (1), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030892
Hock, R. (2015). Forty studies that changed psychology. Pearson Education Limited.
