Get complete information on Pavlov’s Theory of Learning

Pavlov’s theory of learning is also known as conditioning theory. According to this theory, the organism learns to transfer a response from one stimulus to a purely neutral stimulus. For this type of learning four elements are necessary.

(i) Unconditioned stimulus such as food that invariably causes salivation.

(ii) Unconditioned response is that takes place in the presence of unconditioned stimulus such as salivation seeing food.

(iii) Conditioned stimulus does not initially bring about a desired response.

(iv) Conditioned response is a particular behaviour learned to respond to conditioned stimulus Pavlov carried an experiment on a hungry dog. Along with food he presented a sound of bell. On seeing food dog used to salivate. After repeating this several times he presented only the sound of bell and not food and found that the dog had learned to salivate even at the sound of bell. Thus Pavlov proved that an organism can learn to respond in natural way even to an unnatural stimulus.

This theory has proved very useful in class-room teaching. It helps in the following, numerous, ways:

(i) Through conditioning good habits can be formed in a child.

(ii) Through conditioning of emotions a teacher can make teaching-learning effective.

(iii) Conditioning enables the teacher to develop interest in students for the school subjects

(iv) Conditioning helps the teacher to develop positive attitudes in the students.

(v) Conditioning enables the student to change his outlook.

(vi) Conditioning enables the teacher to develop sympathy.

(vii) Conditioning helps to uproot the false believes.