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Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning shapes many of society’s common, everyday tasks. Why are we conditioned to stop at stop signs and red lights? Why does our heart start beating faster when a certain type of music plays in a horror film? Why do we sometimes get excited when we smell or see our favorite food? Anyone who has taken psychology will tell you that this is because of the way humans act is known as classical conditioning, founded by Pavlov half a decade ago while experimenting on a hungry, dog. Whether we are aware of it or not, many actions that we do so many times a day are a direct result of classical conditioning. To better understand why we act the way we do in society, classical conditioning must be defined and described. Classical Conditioning Defined
Classical conditioning is defined as: a process by which a previously neutral stimulus acquires the capacity to elicit a response through association with a stimulus that already elicits a similar or related response. Classical conditioning stems from the experiments conducted by Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov's experiments assumed a simplified conditioned response based upon just three primary components: How often the stimulus is presented, how recently it is presented, and response itself. The method whereby the conditioned response is strengthened is through both the frequency that the stimulus is presented and how recent it is presented.

Theory of Classical Conditioning Classical conditioning was accidentally discovered by Ivan Pavlov, who discovered this type of learning while researching digestion. Pavlov’s classical conditioning is learning through acquired experiences. Classical conditioning is a previously neutral stimulus causing a reflex to a physical response (Olson &

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