Conditioning and Learning: Biological vs. Conditioned Fear
Biological Fear
Fear of pain is most likely a biologically grounded fear that mankind developed as a defense mechanism. Fear lets us know that something is not right with the body, or that we are in potential danger. There are a variety of physiological changes that occur in the body in response to fear. Blood pressure may rise for example, the body may produce excessive levels of cortisol and other stress syndromes and the body may go into fight or flight response mode to counteract any dangers present that may have initiated the pain.
Fortunately studies have shown that multiple techniques are effective for reducing the fear associated with pain and resulting anxiety. One method that has proven effective despite lack of mainstream support is hypnosis. Studies suggest that hypnosis is very good for controlling pain and for many should be considered "the first line of treatment"...
Learning and Cognition Learning is defined as a route or process that is a product of a relative consistent change in behavior or behavior potential. Learning takes place only through experience and making responses that will impact his or her environment. Experience can be defined as taking, evaluating, and transforming information. Learning incorporates a response impacted by memory and learned behavior does not become modified simply based on physical maturation or
Conditioning Classical and operant conditioning are types of behavioral learning. Subsets of behavioral psychology, classical and operant conditioning show how a subject (animal or human) can exhibit relatively permanent changes in behavior due to certain types of experiences. According to Cryver (2000), learning is a "fundamental process" in all animals. Classical conditioning is also known as "learning by association." Association in this sense refers to the association of a behavior with a
Learning Classical and operant conditioning are both types of learning. In particular, classical conditioning and operant conditioning are both types of learning by association. Classical and operant conditioning are called learning by association because both types of learning involve the subject associating a stimulus with a response, or a behavior with a consequence. Ivan Pavlov, a Russian scientist, first studied classical conditioning in earnest. Pavlov showed that it was possible to
Learning Theories Classical Conditioning Classical conditioning is the process of linking an unconditioned stimulus to a conditioned stimulus. The famous classical conditioning experiment by Pavlov resulted in a dog beginning to salivate whenever a bell was rung. This was achieved by ringing the bell every time food was brought for the dog, thus the dog was conditioned to associate the sound of the bell with food. Since food naturally elicits salivation in
Chance tries to explain the key differences in Pavlovian procedures by stating that "the most important difference is that Pavlovian conditioning involves pairing stimuli (the CS and U.S.) while operant learning involves pairing responses and stimuli." (pg 111) the average reader is likely not to readily discern the difference that easily. Turning back to the section on Pavlovian conditioning is imperative at this point in the book and therefore another
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