Examples Of Classical Conditioning

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Classical conditioning is defined as a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone (Frew). An example of classical conditioning could be taken from my past experiences. For instance, dogs and I don’t get along. Every time I get close to a bigger dog I try and get out of the way and find protection of some sort. This is because of what happened to me when I was in 4th grade.
I was playing in the front yard building houses out of some building blocks when everything changed. A dog came darting across the street towards me barking which alerted me of its presents; however by the time I turned around the dog was already attached to my arm. The dog had a grasp of my arm in its jaws biting down extremely hard. My mother hurried from the back yard as soon as she heard the screeching sound of my voice and got the dog off me completely releasing me from the dogs grip. My mother chased the dog away; nevertheless the damage was already complete. My arm was red
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This sample is precisely what classical conditioning is. From that experience, I pair pain or terrifying thoughts with dogs and I also didn’t play in the front yard anymore. I learned from classical conditioning that dogs are not man’s best friend. As for my story, the neutral stimulus (NS) would be my front yard since that is where it all took place in the beginning and now I don’t feel safe there even when just looking at it. The unconditional stimulus (US) would be dogs since that’s what makings me scared which leads to the unconditional response (UR) which is the frightening feeling I get every time I notice a dog. Conditional stimulus (CR) would be the front yard and how unsafe, it is when dogs walk by and the conditioned response (CR) is the frightening feeling I get when I notice a dog walk by the front yard or anywhere close to