What are the three stages of classical conditioning?

Classical conditioning is a learning process that was first described by Ivan Pavlov. It consists of three main stages:

1. Before Conditioning: In this initial stage, a neutral stimulus is presented alongside an unconditioned stimulus that naturally elicits a response. For example, Pavlov used food (unconditioned stimulus) to make dogs salivate (unconditioned response). The bell was the neutral stimulus that, at this point, had no effect on salivation.
2. During Conditioning: This stage occurs when the neutral stimulus is paired repeatedly with the unconditioned stimulus. Over time, the neutral stimulus begins to evoke the same response. In Pavlov’s experiment, the sound of the bell was rung just before the food was presented. After several pairings, the dogs began to salivate at the sound of the bell alone. This is when the bell becomes a conditioned stimulus.
3. After Conditioning: In the final stage, the conditioned stimulus (the bell) is presented without the unconditioned stimulus (the food). The dogs still salivate upon hearing the bell, demonstrating that the conditioned response has been learned. This response can be seen as the dog now associating the bell with food, showcasing the essence of classical conditioning.

In summary, classical conditioning involves learning through association, and these three stages illustrate how a neutral stimulus can become a conditioned stimulus through repeated pairings with an unconditioned stimulus.