Pavlov (1927) Flashcards
What were the 2 aims of Pavlov’s classic study?
To investigate associative learning
To understand if a reflex response with a neutral stimulus produces a conditioned reflex in new situations
What are the IV and DV of Pavlov’s classic study?
IV: behaviour of the dog before and after classical conditioning when it is presented with the NS (bell)
DV: The number of drops of saliva produced by the dog
What was the experimental design and sample of Pavlov’s classic study?
Design: Repeated measures design - studied the same dogs before and after their conditioning
Sample: 35 dogs of a variety of breeds raised in kennels in the laboratory
What was the procedure of Pavlov’s classic study? (5 points)
- Dog was placed in a sealed room with no exposure to other stimuli
- Dog was strapped into a harness to stop it from moving and its mouth was surgically linked to a tube that drained saliva away into a measuring bottle
- Sound of a metronome was paired with the presentation of food to the dog (which caused salivation) 20 times
- After the dog was conditioned, Pavlov presented the dog with the sound of the metronome but no food
- Number of drops of saliva were counted and collected in a measuring bottle
What were the results of Pavlov’s classic study? (2 points)
Conditioned dog started to salivate 9 seconds after hearing the sound
By 45 seconds, 11 drops of saliva were produced
What were the conclusion of Pavlov’s classic study? (2 points)
Pavlov discovered classical conditioning
Pavlov’s dogs demonstrated stimulus generalisation - salivated in response to sounds with a similar tone to the metronome (doorbell/ wind chime) even though they were never directly conditioned to
How generalisable is Pavlov’s classic study? (2 points)
Dogs were chosen because they are ‘higher order mammals’ with complex central nervous systems
However, dogs are a genetically distinct species to humans - results are unrepresentative of human associative learning behaviour
How reliable is Pavlov’s classic study? (2 points)
Pavlov’s experiment was standardised and repeated - dog harnessed and saliva volumes measured after 20 UCS (food) + NS (metronome) pairings
Many variations including a buzzer and whistle were used - test-retest can determine if results are consistent
How is Pavlov’s classic study applicable to real life? (3 points)
Aversion therapy, flooding and systematic desensitisation are based on associative learning
E.g. aversion therapy
+ Involves extinguishing undesirable behaviours by pairing a negative stimulus with an undesired response
+ Alcoholics are given Antabuse, a drug that nausea and vomiting if they consume alcohol
How internally valid is Pavlov’s classic study? (3 points)
The sealed room was controlled for situational variables
Data collected was quantitative - number of drops of saliva was accurately measured
Increased scientific internal validity - stronger cause (NS+UCS pairing) and effect (salivation response)
How ecologically valid is Pavlov’s classic study? (3 points)
Low ecological validity
Artificial laboratory environment was used - dogs were bred in the laboratory, and harnessed in place
Stimuli and responses were isolated - ‘real-life’ behaviours were not being observed
How ethical was Pavlov’s classic study? (2 points)
Dogs were surgically implanted with a measuring bottle into salivatory glands and kept in a sealed room
The study does not abide by the current ethical standard of ‘Refinement’ in the Scientific Procedures Act of 1986
