Classical Conditioning Why Does Pavlov s Model Work

Classical Conditioning: Why Does Pavlov’s Model Work Why Does it Matter? Rebecca Leap Gardner-Webb University If you were to pull a random individual off the street and ask them to tell you about Pavlov and his dogs, there is a fair chance he or she would be able to give you, at the very least, a basic explanation of how the canines learned to salivate at the sound of a bell. Ivan Pavlov’s experiment has found its way into the cultural lexicon and is often referenced, but those outside of the field of psychology probably are not as familiar with the technical term assigned to Pavlov’s method: classical conditioning. This basic learning method has become very important to the study of behaviorism and learning processes, laying the groundwork for more complex studies in the years since Pavlov’s initial discovery. Classical conditioning has proven highly effective in treating certain psychological maladies, such as phobias. But why do we, as humans, respond so strongly to this method? Additionally, why has it, after so many years, continued to pervade the psychological fie ld of learning? However, before I can answer those questions, I will need to discuss exactly what classical conditioning is. I will be using Pavlov’s model for this section, as it is the original model and the most universally recognized when illustrating the basic concepts. First of all, classical conditioning is the process by which â€Å"we learn to associate two stimuli and thus toShow MoreRelatedLearning: Classical Conditioning1132 Words   |  5 Pagesskill usually does not leave you. Similar to learning how to drive a car, you do not have to go through the process again at a later time. There are three main types of learning are classical conditioning (responding), operant conditioning (acting), and observational learning (observing). It is a nice spring day. A father takes his baby out for a walk. 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