Classical Conditioning
Scenario
Billy drank a carton of spoiled milk during snack time of the morning of his first day at kindergarten. During “story time on the big red rug” he became ill and regurgitated the contents of his stomach on the rug and three nearby classmates. Jane looked at the splotches of partially digested food on her dress and shoes, and ran to the restroom to empty the contents of her stomach.
On the second day of kindergarten, Jane came up to the teacher’s desk 10 minutes before “story time on the big red rug” and said, “I’m really sick to my stomach and better go home before story time.” The teacher insisted that Jane sit on the rug with the rest of the class during story time. About five minutes into the story, Billy and Jane each raced to the restroom with their hands over their mouths.
On the third day of kindergarten, Jane complained that the teacher’s red dress “makes me sick. Sick inside my tummy.”
According the Pavlovian theory, how could you explain the behavior of Billy and Jane on the second day of kindergarten?
Explain their behavior on the third day of kindergarten.
Using Pavlovian principles, devise a plan that would modify this behavior
Classical Conditioning
Scenario
Kenny is a Ridgewood High School sophomore. He is taking a high level American Literature class from you. Kenny has just transferred to your school from a school across the country. He seems to be doing quite well with all of the stories and class discussions. He actively participates in group discussions and was one of the main characters during a role play of a short story.
You decide that you need to check for comprehension and plan to give your students a quiz on the plot lines of the stories that you’ve read so far. On the day of the quiz, you notice that Kenny looks a little pale, but you go on with the quiz. As Kenny gets his quiz, you again notice that he is sweating and reaches up and wipes his face with his sleeve. He starts to have trouble breathing; short quick breaths, his hand on his chest. You are certain that he is about to be sick to his stomach.
You suggest that he go to the nurse’s office before he gets sick in class. During the break between classes you go to the nurse’s office and find that Kenny has been sent on his way. The school nurse looks curiously at you when you inquire about him, saying, “He seemed okay to me.”
How might Classical Conditioning explain Kenny’s behavior?
How might the Pavlovian Principles of generalization, discrimination, and extinction help you deal with this situation?