Introduction
Classical conditioning is a learning theory developed by Ivan Pavlov. It explains how people or animals learn to associate one stimulus with another through repeated exposure.
Basic Concept
In classical conditioning, a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, producing a conditioned response.
Example
Pavlov rang a bell before giving food to dogs. After repeated pairing, the dogs started salivating just by hearing the bell. The bell (neutral stimulus) became associated with food (unconditioned stimulus).
Application in Social Work
- Used in behavior modification
- Helpful in treating phobias, addictions, and emotional problems
- Used in counseling to change negative behaviors by pairing them with positive reinforcements
Conclusion
Classical conditioning plays an important role in understanding human behavior. Social workers use it to help clients replace harmful behavior with healthier patterns.