2. Definition
• Respondent conditioning occurs when
we link or pair a previously neutral
stimulus with a stimulus that is
unlearned or inborn, called an
unconditioned stimulus. Note that this
form of learning also goes by the name
classical conditioning or Pavlovian
conditioning in honor of Ivan Pavlov.
3. Definition of Terms
Unconditioned Stimulus
An unconditioned stimulus is a stimulus or trigger
that leads to an automatic response.
Neutral Stimulus
A neutral stimulus is a stimulus that doesn't initially
trigger a response on its own.
Conditioned Stimulus
A conditioned stimulus is a stimulus that was once
neutral (didn't trigger a response) but now leads to
a response.
Unconditioned Response
An unconditioned response is an automatic
response or a response that occurs without thought
when an unconditioned stimulus is present.
4. Conditioned Response
A conditioned response is a learned response or a
response that is created where no response existed
before.
Phases of respondent conditioning and applications
Respondent conditioning occurs in three phases
1. Pre – Conditioning
The first part of the response conditioning process
requires a naturally occurring stimulus that will
automatically elicit a response.
During this phase of the process, the unconditioned
stimulus (UCS) results in an unconditioned response
(UCR).
5. There is also a neutral stimulus that produces no
effect—yet. It isn't until the neutral stimulus is
paired with the unconditioned stimulus that it will
come to evoke a response.
A good classroom scenario is when a Engineering
mathematics trainer is introducing calculus to
students, for the very first lesson the students will
most likely not have with them Advanced
mathematical tables.
This is before learning occurs
without thought when an unconditional stimulus is
present.
6. Phases of respondent conditioning
2. Conditioning – [during learning]
During the second phase of the response
conditioning process, the previously neutral
stimulus is repeatedly paired with the
unconditioned stimulus. As a result of this pairing,
an association between the previously neutral
stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus is
formed.
At this point, the once neutral stimulus becomes
known as the conditioned stimulus (CS). The
subject has now been conditioned to respond to
this stimulus.
7. The conditioned stimulus is a previously neutral
stimulus that, after becoming associated with the
unconditioned stimulus, eventually comes to trigger
a conditioned response.
Looking at our earlier example, During learning the
trainer will instill the need of having Advanced
mathematical tables during Calculus topic, the
trainer will be conditioning the students to always
have the advanced mathematical tables with them
on their desks.
Conditional response is created where no response
existed before.
8. Phases of respondent conditioning
3. Post- conditioning [ after learning has occurred ]
Once the association has been made between the
unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned stimulus,
presenting the conditioned stimulus alone will come to
evoke a response—even without the unconditioned
stimulus. The resulting response is known as the
conditioned response (CR).
At this phase the students each time the trainer enters
class for Calculus the conditioned response of the
students once they have seen the trainer is that they will
be removing the advanced mathematical tables and
placing them on their desk even without the trainer
telling them to do so.
