Why We Made This:
Classical conditioning is a foundational concept in learning theory and psychological science, but it’s often misunderstood or memorized without true comprehension. Many individuals preparing for the EPPP struggle to understand how unconditioned and conditioned stimuli interact clearly, how Pavlov’s experiment fits into modern frameworks, or how principles like extinction and generalization are applied in real-life situations. We created this PDF to provide a clear, concise, and application-focused guide to classical conditioning. This resource supports the development of a firm understanding by presenting the material with real-world examples, step-by-step visuals, and clear explanations.
 
Learning Objectives:
Understand the basic principles of classical conditioning, including the roles of stimuli and responses.
Differentiate between unconditioned and conditioned stimuli and responses with practical examples.
Describe Pavlov’s original experiment and how it led to the discovery of classical conditioning.
Identify how neutral stimuli become conditioned through repeated association.
Explain key terms such as extinction, spontaneous recovery, primary and secondary reinforcers, and stimulus generalization.