Theorist Ivan Pavlov and Classical Conditioning

biographical information

• Name- Ivan Petrovich Pavlov
• Born- September 14, 1849, Died- February 27, 1936
• Born in Russia
• Studied at the church school in Ryazan followed by attending theology seminary
• Heavily influenced by D.I. Pisarev (Russian literary critic) & I.M. Schenor (known as the father of Russian physiology)
• Left a career in religion to study science

Pavlov's early work

• Focused on studying the functions of the body
• Completed extensive research on the physiology of the circulatory system, blood pressure and digestion
• Became a successful surgeon
• Around 1930, began studying the secretory system of the digestion; also began studying this in dogs

Classical conditioning defined

Process by which a naturally occuring stimulus is paired with a stimulus in the environment.

Discovery of classical conditioning

• Pavlov discovered classical conditioning while studying gastrointestional secretions in dogs
• Noted how the dogs reaction toward food changed
• Observed the evolution of these reactions
• Initally, the dogs would salivate when food was placed in front of them, but this changed over time

Process of classical conditioning

• Knew that dogs would salivate when food was placed in front of them
• Noticed that dogs began to salivate when stimulated by anything that they associated with food (ex: Pavlov's assistant's footsteps)
• Began experimenting with using a bell as a indication of food and dogs soon began to salivate when the bell rang

Results of Classical conditioning

• The conclusion of Pavlov's research resulted in knowing how learning by association works.

• This also helped better understand behavior and how to create desired behaviors (behavior reconditioning).

pavlov's Awards and Recognitions

• Noble Prize winner for Physiology or Medicine (1904)
• Elected Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences (1907)
• Honorary doctorate at Cambridge University (1912)
• Order of the Legion of Honour (1915)

Classical conditioning and education

• Classical Conditioning can be used in the classroom to create a positive classroom environment.

• This can help students learn desired reaction based on a stimuli.

• Can help with classroom management and environment.

incorporating classical conditioning in the classroom

Here are some examples of how educators can incorporate Classical Conditioning methods in the classroom:

• Teacher claps 3 times and students clap 3 times and become quiet
• Use of bell or call and response method to gain class' attention
• Rewards for positive behaviors (ticket system, treasure box, etc.)

classical conditioning in education

References

A&E Networks Television. (2021, November 9). Ivan Petrovich Pavlov. Biography.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://www.biography.com/scientist/ivan-petrovich-pavlov

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Opposition to communism of Ivan Pavlov. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ivan-Pavlov/Opposition-to-communism

jfo5178, A. (2019, November 18). Classical conditioning in the classroom. Intro Psych Blog F19Group 7. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://sites.psu.edu/intropsychf19grp7/2019/11/16/classical-conditioning-in-the-classroom/

The nobel prize in physiology or medicine 1904. NobelPrize.org. (n.d.). Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1904/pavlov/facts/