Pavlov 1927 Flashcards
aim - P1, A01
The aim of Pavlov’s study was to explore conditioned reflexes.
In particular – to explain the role of conditioned reflex’s in the eating behaviour of dogs and to explore how salivation becomes associated with new stimuli apparently unrelated to food and the properties of this association.
sample - P1, A01
Pavlov used a sample of 35 dogs in his study and he used a lab experiment.
weakness of Pavlov generalisability to humans - P1, A03
One weakness of Pavlov’s study was that it was carried out on dogs which reduces generalisability.
Humans have structurally different brains from other species, and may therefore respond differently to stimuli.
In particular humans have a larger cerebral cortex than other species which permits more complex cognitive processing, including conscious choice.
Therefore, Pavlov may have been wrong to believe that his findings from animals could be generalise to humans.
COUNTER ARGUMENT TO weakness of Pavlov generalisability to humans - P1, A03
However, further study evidence by Watson and Rayner to condition a fear response in Little Albert towards a white rat shows that classical conditioning does take place in humans.
Although humans can consciously try to overcome conditioned reflex’s this is difficult.
Therefore, this means that following further research we can be certain that Pavlov’s findings can be generalised to humans as Watson and Rayner confirmed classical conditioning takes place in humans
procedure - P2, A01
Salivation was the dependant variable which was collected from the salivary glands of immobilised dogs. The productions of saliva could be easily measured by volume or number of drops in a cannula.
The procedure took place in a soundproof chamber to minims the effects of extraneous variables such as noise.
Pavlov established a baseline by measuring salivation in response to a neutral stimulus, a metronome.
Then he paired the NS with the UCS of food, usually around 20 times. He varied presentation so the NS was presented before (forward condition) or after the UCS (backwards conditioning).
Further variations were used to investigate extinction and spontaneous recovery of salivation.
strength, good experimental controls - P2, A03
one strength of Pavlov’s study is that the design had some clever features that reduced the impact of extraneous variables and therefore enhanced the internal validity of the study
Pavlov’s studies took place within a soundproof chamber to reduce the possibility of external sounds distracting the dogs or providing additional stimuli
the collection of saliva externally in a cannula helped prevent any loss of saliva and therefore, invalid measurement of salivation
neutral stimuli were carefully chosen and tested to ensure they did not already elicit a salivation response
therefore, these controls make it more likely that salivation in response to the conditioned stimulus was due to conditioning rather than to extraneous variables
results - P3, A01
The neutral stimulus did not initially elicit a response, but the UCS (food) elicited immediate salivation.
After forwards pairings of NS and UCS, the NS typically did elicit salivation, CR, after the NS was presented for a few seconds.
In one trial Pavlov recorded that salivation started nine seconds after the metronome sound – 45 drops of saliva was collected.
No salivation found in response to the NS in backward pairing.
Pavlov noted that the salivation reflex only became associated with an NS if the dog was alert and undistracted.
Extinction of salivation was seen after repeated presentation of the CS without the UCS and this response to CS spontaneously recovered on occasion.
conclusions - P4, A01
Pavlov concluded that a link is likely to be made in the brain between a UCS and an NS that occurs just before the UCS.
He called this signalisation, which has survival value in preparing an organism for events.
strength, application of Pavlov’s study - P5, A03
One strength of Pavlov’s study is that it has clinical applications in helping to understand eating problems
obesity can be partially understood in terms of conditioned responses very like those displayed by Pavlov’s dogs
For example, Anita Jansen suggested that overweight children have acquired very strong associations between cues that predict the arrival of food and the salivation response
overeating follows exposure to these cues
therefore, this application of Pavlov’s research demonstrated its significance in developing therapies such as systematic desensitisation to help people with eating disorders
