Chapter 31, Problem 2A

Summary Introduction

To write:

Behaviour that occurs by the association of two different kinds of stimuli.

Introduction:

Animal behaviour comprises all the ways in which animals communicate with other species and the physical environment. Behaviour can also be characterised as a change in the operation of the organism in response to a stimulus. A stimulus is an environmental change that directly influences the activity of an organism.

Explanation of Solution

Classical conditioning (also known as Pavlovian conditioning) is learning by interaction and has been found by Pavlov, a Russian physiologist. When an association between an environmental stimulus and naturally occurring stimulus takes place, it results in the learning process or classical conditioning.

For example, a dog is presented meat which produced saliva in the mouth of the dog.After sometime Pavlov started ringing bell before giving the meat.After repeated trials, the dog salivated when the bell was ranged alone, without smelling or tasting the meat.

It was concluded that the dog associated the sound of the bell to the meat which produce saliva in its mouth.

Conclusion

Thus, classical conditioning is the behaviour that takes place when an there is an association between two different kinds of stimuli.