The spelling of the word "conditioned reaction" can be explained using the IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as /kənˈdɪʃənd/, with the stress on the second syllable. The second syllable is pronounced as /riˈækʃən/. The word refers to a response that is learned through repeated association with a stimulus. The correct spelling and pronunciation of this term is important in the study of psychology, where conditioned response plays a critical role in understanding human behavior.
A conditioned reaction, also known as a conditioned response, refers to a learned behavior or response that occurs in response to a previously neutral stimulus. This type of reaction is developed through a process called classical conditioning, which involves pairing an unconditioned stimulus with a conditioned stimulus to produce a desired response.
In classical conditioning, an unconditioned stimulus is a stimulus that automatically triggers a natural and unlearned response, while a conditioned stimulus is initially neutral but becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus through repeated pairing. As a result of this pairing, the conditioned stimulus alone elicits a response similar to that produced by the unconditioned stimulus.
Conditioned reactions are the result of the subject's association between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus. For example, in Pavlov's famous experiment with dogs, the sound of a bell (conditioned stimulus) was repeatedly paired with the presentation of food (unconditioned stimulus). Over time, the dogs began to salivate (conditioned response) upon hearing the bell alone, even without the presence of food.
These conditioned reactions can be both physiological and psychological. Examples of conditioned reactions can range from simple involuntary physical responses like changes in heart rate, blinking, or sweating, to complex emotional or cognitive responses like fear and anxiety. The strength and persistence of conditioned reactions may vary depending on the timing, frequency, and intensity of the conditioning process.
The word "conditioned" in "conditioned reaction" refers to the scientific concept of "classical conditioning", which was first described by the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov in the late 19th century. Pavlov conducted experiments on dogs and observed that they could be trained to associate a particular stimulus (such as the sound of a bell) with a specific response (such as salivation), even if the stimulus was unrelated to the response. This process of learning through association came to be known as classical conditioning.
The etymology of the word "conditioned" can be traced back to the Latin word "condicionare", meaning "to arrange conditions or terms". It later evolved to "conditio" in Late Latin, which means "state, position, agreement, or contract". From there, it entered Old French as "condition", which referred to "terms or stipulations in a contract".