Parent Guide > Classical Conditioning

This week in class, we’re reading "Classical Conditioning" by Saul McLeod.

In this article, McLeod discusses classical conditioning, a way of changing a person's behavior by exposing them to different experiences, and experiments carried out using this method. One 1920 experiment showed that classical conditioning can be used to create a phobia, not only in animals but potentially in humans as well.

As we read, we will be discussing the theme of Identity as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question :

"What makes you who you are?"

Ways to support your child:

• Ask your child about this psychology article at home:
  • What was "Classical Conditioning" about?
  • What did you learn about Identity?
• Watch the following clips with your child at home:
  • 'J.B. Watson and the Little Albert phobia experiments'
  • 'Classical Conditioning - Ivan Pavlov'