Question

Refer to the passage below: The last three times little Theresa visited Dr. Lopez for checkups, he administered a painful preventive immunization shot that left her in tears. Today, when her mother takes her for another checkup, Theresa begins to sob as soon as she comes face to face with Dr. Lopez, even before he has had a chance to say hello. Dr. Lopez is upset because his presence has become a _____ _____, for Theresa's crying.

Short answer

Dr. Lopez's presence has become a 'conditioned stimulus' for Theresa's crying.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning is a learning process in which two stimuli are repeatedly paired. The first stimulus is neutral (something that had no response or meaning prior to conditioning) and the second one elicits a certain physiological or emotional response. After several repetitions, the neutral stimulus gets associated with the second one and starts to cause the same kind of response. This type of learning was first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov in his experiment with dogs.

Application to the Problem

In the given exercise, Theresa used to cry because she associated the checkups with the painful immunization shots. Initially, Dr. Lopez, being a neutral stimulus, held no meaning for Theresa. However, she has been conditioned due to multiple repetitions of the same event – experiencing pain when she sees Dr. Lopez. Thus, she starts crying whenever she sees him even before he administers the shot.

Finding the Answer

Theresa's behavior demonstrates a conditioned emotional response. The term for the scenario is 'conditioned stimulus'. Therefore, Dr. Lopez has become a 'conditioned stimulus' for Theresa's crying because she has learnt to associate him with the discomfort of the shots.

Key concepts

Conditioned Stimulus

In classical conditioning, a conditioned stimulus is initially just a neutral object that has no particular significance. However, through repeated pairings with an unconditioned stimulus, which naturally provokes a response, the neutral stimulus gains significance. It starts to elicit a similar response, having transformed into a conditioned stimulus.
For instance, in Ivan Pavlov's famous experiments, a bell was rung before presenting food to dogs. Initially, the bell meant nothing to the dogs. However, after repeated pairings with food, the bell alone started to cause salivation. In Theresa's case, Dr. Lopez initially was neutral. But after being repeatedly paired with painful shots, he transformed into a conditioned stimulus.
He now evokes crying, an emotional response, even though he has not yet administered a shot. This demonstrates how an innocuous stimulus can develop significant meaning through classical conditioning.

Conditioned Emotional Response

A conditioned emotional response is an emotional reaction acquired through classical conditioning. It's essential to understand that these responses were once neutral but gained emotional significance through association. This process occurs when a person associates a previously neutral stimulus with an emotional event.
Taking the example from the exercise, whenever Theresa saw Dr. Lopez, it did not initially trigger any emotional response. Yet, after she equated the sight of him with receiving painful immunizations, just seeing him made her cry.
This kind of emotional conditioning can occur in various contexts such as fear, joy, or sadness. Awareness of conditioned emotional responses is vital, as it highlights how easily emotional experiences can color our interactions with our environment, sometimes without us consciously realizing it.

Learning Process

Classical conditioning is a fundamental learning process that illustrates the association between stimuli. In this learning model, organisms learn through mental associations formed between two events. It's a form of learning that's often automatic and subconscious, making it a powerful tool in both human and animal behavior modification.
In the case of Theresa, the repetition of receiving shots during her doctor visits facilitated the learning process. Each association strengthened her response, until her behavior became automatic upon seeing Dr. Lopez. This transformation underscores how conditioning doesn't require active thinking or decision-making from learners.
Because of its subconscious nature, classical conditioning impacts many areas, from enhancing educational techniques to addressing phobic responses in therapy. Understanding this process empowers educators, psychologists, and even individuals to shape behaviors and responses more effectively.