| The principles of classical conditioning have been used to help improve the human condition. Several examples of therapies involving classical conditioning are provided here.
Mowrer and Mowrer (1938) developed a treatment for enuresis, or bed-wetting. A child with this problem sleeps on a pad into which a wire mesh that is connected to a bell has been sewn. Should the child wet the bed, an electrical circuit is completed causing the bell to ring (US). This in turn awakens the child (UR). After several repetitions of this cycle, in which bed-wetting has caused him to be awakened by the bell, the child begins to associate the sensation of pressure in his bladder (a previously neutral stimulus) with waking up. In a short time, the need to urinate (now a CS) becomes sufficient in itself to awaken the child (now a CR) so he or she can get up and go to the bathroom. Classical conditioning has been used in predation control. Because they like to eat sheep, coyotes are a problem to sheep farmers. We could kill the coyotes, but this approach would probably not be appropriate. Instead, Gustavson and Gustavson (1985) described a study in which they conditioned some coyotes not to eat the sheep. They took sheep meat (CS) and sprinkled it with a chemical (US) that would produce a stomachache (UR) in the coyotes. After the coyotes ate the treated meat, they avoided the live sheep (CR). This humane application of conditioned taste aversion might be used to control other predators as well. Classical conditioning can be used also to help people reduce fears. Counterconditioning involves pairing the stimulus (CS) that elicits fear with a stimulus (US) that elicits positive emotion (UR). For example, a person who is afraid of snakes, but loves strawberry ice cream is shown a snake and then given the ice cream. While the person is busy eating the ice cream, classical conditioning helps associate the snake with good feelings. Some evidence suggests that classical conditioning may be involved in drug tolerance. After repeatedly taking a drug, it is sometimes necessary to increase the dosage to obtain the same effect. For example, after being given repeated doses of morphine to reduce pain, patients often require larger doses. Siegel and colleagues (1982) argue that cues, such as the needle used to administer the drug, elicit negative feelings that tend to work against the normal effects of the drug. Siegel also suggests that in treating drug addiction, it is necessary to reduce the positive conditioned responses associated with taking the drug. Siegal argued that drug overdose can occur when the drug is taken in a new location that doesn't have all of the associated cues, such as the familiar furniture in a room. Although a lower dose of the drug would have been effective, the individual may take the usual amount, resulting in an overdose. Classical conditioning appears to be involved both in the formation and elimination of our emotional reactions. You might try to keep a list of the stimuli in your environment that elicit responses from you. Then put to work the principles of classical conditioning to help you understand how you learn the many emotions you experience. |
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