Introduction to Psychology Theory 2022

Introduction to Psychology 1
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
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Introduction to Psychology 2
Introduction to Psychology
Learning is a process where a change in behavior or potential behavior occurs as a result
of experience. Through continues associations, punishments, reinforcements and observations
experience is attained, retained and recalled hence learning (Haider and Mariotti, 2020).
Learning theories help in understanding how and why people behave in a particular manner.
Classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning theories are some of learning
development theories based on the environmental influences such as association, punishment,
reinforcement and observation. These learning theories explain how information is absorbed,
processed and retained during learning process.
Classical conditioning theory
This theory was developed by Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov. Learning through
classical conditioning occurs when an association is formed between neutral or unconditioned
stimulus and naturally or conditioned occurring stimulus. According to (Gershman and Niv,
2012), Ivan Pavlov discovered principle of conditioning through an experiment on the digestion
system of dogs. Pavlov discovered that dogs would salivate whenever they saw his assistant
wearing white coat entering lab before being fed. Through multiple associations dogs would
naturally salivate in response of food carried by the lab assistant and ultimately the sound of the
bell alone. Dogs were conditioned to an extent that when they heard the sound of the bell they
knew food was on the way. Dogs were able to process information and occurrences that would
lead to them being fed; appearance of lab assistant, sound of the bell and finally presence of
food. Dogs therefore, were able to associate the sound of the bell which is unconditioned
stimulus and food which is conditioned stimulus. It can be noted that learning through classical

Introduction to Psychology 3
conditioning occurs automatically and naturally as a result of repeated interactions with the
environment forces that eventually shape behavior (Nihei, Tanaka and Sawa, 2019).
Success of classical conditioning learning always depends on the following principles:
acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization and discrimination (Eelen, 2018).
Acquisition is the first stage of classical conditioning where a response is established and
strengthened. Neutral stimulus is paired with unconditioned stimulus and automatically triggers a
response known as conditioned stimulus. Extinction occurs when intensity of conditioned
stimulus is no longer paired or associated with unconditioned stimulus. In this case conditioned
response may reduce or disappear completely. Spontaneous recovery is a where learnt response
reappears after a short period of break or extinction. Spontaneous generalization occurs when
conditioned stimulus triggers similar responses once the responses have been conditioned. This
always occurs as a result of stimulus generalization. Lastly, Spontaneous discrimination occurs
when a learner decides to respond to specific stimuli and ignoring others.
Classical conditioning theory can be associated with addiction and therefore can be used
to explain addictive behaviors. In the experiment of digestion system of dogs, the bell acted as
the cues or relapse triggers to sense and mark presence of food for the dogs and after repeated
associations dogs developed a response and ultimately addiction. The cues developed into a
relapse since brain links cues and addiction (Childs and de Wit, 2016). The same can be used to
explain addiction in human beings. A doctor smoking cigarette in his car whenever he is on his
way home after work because he feels free and alone, the behavior can be repeated and becomes
a habit. The car in this instance acts as the cue or conditioned stimulus that triggers craving for
smoking cigarette which is unconditioned stimulus. Repeated cravings will result into a habit and
therefore whenever a doctor gets into his car he will feel like smoking.