Classical conditioning
IB PsychologyΒ· Cognitive approachΒ· 11 min read
1. Core concept
Classical conditioning is learning by association. A neutral stimulus is repeatedly paired with a stimulus that already triggers an automatic response; in time the neutral stimulus alone triggers that response. So a previously meaningless cue comes to produce an involuntary reaction (fear, salivation). It explains how emotional responses like phobias can be learned rather than innate.
2. Key studies
IB Psychology answers must be supported by named studies. Learn these to cite as evidence:
Watson & Rayner (1920)
'Little Albert', a nine-month-old, was conditioned to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise; the fear generalised to similar objects. β A human demonstration that an emotional response (fear) can be conditioned by association.
3. Evaluation (AO3)
Strength β clear, testable mechanism β The pairing can be shown experimentally and even a few trials can establish a conditioned fear, giving a falsifiable account of learned emotion.
Limitation β ethics and scope β The Little Albert study raises serious ethical objections, and pure association ignores the cognitive appraisal that also shapes human emotional learning.
4. Scope
5. Common Pitfalls
Wrong move:
Confusing classical with operant conditioning.
Why:
A frequently penalised misconception in IB Psychology exams.
Correct move:
Classical = an involuntary response comes to follow a previously neutral stimulus (association BEFORE the reflex). Operant = a voluntary behaviour changes because of its CONSEQUENCES (reinforcement/punishment AFTER).
Going deeper
- Operant conditioningoperant conditioning is the consequence-based counterpart β contrast with COG_7.