Classical Conditioning, Reaction Paper Example

Classical conditioning is a psychological model that is based on Pavlov’s experiments regarding triggers and characteristic responses. Classical condition is a highly interesting phenomenon because psychologists use it to explain many different human behaviors. I believe that this is an interesting process because it is learned rather than instinctual. For example, the brain has its own way of automatically reacting to stimuli, such as removing your hand from a hot surface. We are all born with these nervous impulses and don’t need to learn what to do in these situations. Classical conditioning is more of a taught process. In Pavlov’s experiments, he essentially taught dogs that ringing a bell means that food would be brought to them. After several trials, the dogs would begin to salivate even if food wasn’t brought to them. This showed that classical condition is a valid psychological concept and there is a connection between the conditioned and unconditioned stimulus.

Classical conditioning applies to many aspects of human life. For example, when I smell cooked food around dinner time, I know that it’s time to eat soon and I start to feel hungry. In addition, when someone drives up to my house, parks, and slams the door, I know that it’s one of my parents based on the characteristic pitch of the door slam. It’s important to have classical conditioning because it is very helpful to teach young children about the things they should or shouldn’t do. Smells, sights, the way things feel, sounds, and the way things taste all mean something unique and can connect to their own events. When young children go to school, it’s important for them to know that the end of the class is signaled by the bell ringing and they should travel to the next class, they know that the whistle in the school yard means it’s time to line up, and they know that the smell of food means its lunch time. Classical conditioning gives us many good clues about what’s happening and helps our thoughts connect in a way that makes sense.