Classical Conditioning : )

Ivan Pavlov

1.       When Pavlov discovered the theory of classical conditioning, he was actually trying to learn more about the digestive system and its secrets.

2.       Pavlov’s experiment was conducted in many steps:

a.       He rang a bell in front of the dog

b.      He showed him food (dog salivated)

c.       He gave him food (dog liked it)

d.      He repeated these steps several times

                                                               i.      He rang bell (dog salivated) even if food was not given

                                                             ii.      It created a behavior on the dog

3.       Conditional stimulus: bell, unconditional stimulus: Food, conditioned response: Salivation.

4.       Extinction: extinction occurs when the classical conditioning or response decreases until it disappears.

5.       To give similar responses when the response has been conditioned

6.       To be able to detect differences from one stimuli to another.

7.       Two limitations of experiment:

a.       The experiment was done on dogs, not humans, and results can vary.

b.      Dogs can salivate at any time with the tubes surgically inserted in the salivary glands.

8.       After his experiment, he theorized that we link two or more things together, and have a response over them.

John B. Watson

1.       Little Albert:

a.       The baby was exposed to many objects

                                                               i.      A white rat

                                                             ii.      A rabbit

                                                            iii.      A monkey

                                                           iv.      Masks

                                                             v.      Burning newspaper

1.       He demonstrated no fear of any of them

b.      The next time little Albert was exposed the rat, Watson made a loud noise with a metal pipe. The child began to cry. After repeatedly paring the rat with the loud noise, Albert began to cry only by seeing the rat.

c.       This created him a phobia to any white-furry object, because of classical conditioning

2.       Conditioned stimulus: white rat, Unconditional stimulus: Loud noise, Conditioned response: Albert’s fear.

3.       Limitations of experiment:

a.       It was incorrect to do it on a baby

b.      It was done at a baby, this might not work on adults

4.       "The more frequent a stimulus and response to occur in association with each other, the stronger that habit will become." (John B. Watson)

5.       "The response that has most recently occurred after a particular stimulus is the response most likely to be associated with that stimulus." (John B. Watson)

6.       Basic assumptions of behaviorism

a.       Behaviors are the result of the experiences with the environment.

b.      Learning involves a change in behaviors.

c.       Many species learn in similar ways.

http://www.ws.edu/socialsci/lcampbell/Chapter10/sld002.htm

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/John_B._Watson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_conditioning

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O88-stimulusdiscrimination.html

Being A Night Owl In High School

Being A Night Owl In High School Is Linked With Lower College GPA

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609072813.htm

The research was made by a research abstract. The article talks about teenagers that are in high school, having a low GPA. Teenager night owls are those who sleep very late at night or the ones who party late. Because of the sleep deprivation, their brains get tired, and did not have time to recharge, therefore students get tired, and they eventually get a low GPA. In my opinion, sleep deprivation is very bad, because it affects us very much.  

School One Hour Later

Starting High School One Hour Later May Reduce Teen Traffic Accidents

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215074351.htm

Many high school students (mostly seniors) are 16 years old, and are able to drive because they have a driver’s license.  According to www.sciencedaily.com teenagers driving to school, tend to have car accidents because they did not receive complete sleep during the night, and because they needed to wake up very early to go to school. If school started a little bit later, teenagers could sleep at least an hour more and could renew their brain correctly. In my opinion I think that the accidents can be caused by the lack of sleep, but not only that, I think that accidents also occur because they are not that experienced in driving.  

Students with A Delayed School Start Time Sleep Longer!!!

High School Students with A Delayed School Start Time Sleep Longer, Report Less Daytime Sleepiness

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080609071202.htm

The article was authored by Zaw W. Htwe, MD, of Norwalk Sleep Disorders Center in Norwalk (NSDC) Conn.  Students all over the world are affected by daytime sleepiness during class time and after school hours. Zaw did his studies using the information of 259 high school students, through a questionnaire method.  Zaw has made many studies, and has gotten to the conclusion that because this is because of the lack in sleep during nights, the sleepiness accumulates, so he has developed an idea, that if school starts a little bit later, adolescents will have more sleep hours. Teens will sleep more, and their brains will be as new every day. In my opinion, I think that this article is assertive because, normally, teenagers tend to be sleepier in the mornings, and we tend to sleep very late.