Ivan Pavlov began a
study on classical conditioning…a study we know as “Pavlov’s dog.” He strapped
a dog down and every time a bell rings a doggie gets a treat. Let’s
admit it…you wanted to complete that quote with the “It’s a Wonderful Life”
little girl quote. We all know it. C’mon…say it. Okay, digressing here…
A Pavlovian student,
amazed by these results, wanted to carry this study to the next step. How so?
Humans. By tapping into the primal instincts of human; however, adults would
try to become wise to the study…try to figure out the why’s and how’s.
No, no. He needed a human closely tied to the natural human-animal instinct and
who better to use than children? After all, we adults are constantly working to
educate our children on proper social etiquette. We want our children to eat
with utensils, stand up straight, and not belch or fart in public. We are
eliminating any animalistic/primate behaviors that children are born with for
the sake of social etiquette. I am not for or against this issue, but that, my
readers, is for another blog. Back to the Pavlovian student…
The student sought
out orphans to complete his scientific studies. He would strap these children
down to prevent any movement. Then, using a mechanism he created to put in
their mouth, he completed a similar study to Pavlov’s dog. The children would
feel a vibration or some kind of trigger and receive a cookie. After
performing this task long enough, he would use the trigger action, but no
cookie would follow. The measured salivation was equal to those previous
studies with the cookies. We have classic conditioning amongst humans. Pavlov
walked in and caught his student performing these studies…
“Brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant.” Ivan Pavlov was amazed and intrigued. Thus began the
Pavlovian children.
They completed the
Pavlovian children studies. We now have classic cognitive behavioral
conditioning with the thanks of this work. Cognitive behavioral conditioning
that many psychologists guides their clients to use. Cognitive behavioral
conditioning taught to educators to apply in a classroom. Yes, my readers, such
a horrendous study can produce such wonderful outcomes.
Now, on to my
epiphany…
…meet me December 20th.
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