Pavlov's Sheep | Conditioning

#economics #psychology #sheep

One of the most pathbreaking studies about classical conditioning was done by Ivan Pavlov. In Pavlov’s experiment—the one he’s known for—he used a combination of food (the stimulus) and a bell (neutral). Pavlov’s dogs would only salivate at the sight or smell of food. The dogs would not salivate at the sound of the bell. However, when the bell was rung when food was served, the dogs began to salivate at the sound of the bell. Originally, the bell was neutral, but became a stimulus. The dogs were conditioned.

I understand this is not a full description of Pavlov’s famous experiment, but I believe it explains an enormous amount about the herd. I’ll use bathrooms as an example. Bathrooms were originally neutral. If anyone discussed bathrooms at a much earlier date, nobody’s emotions were aroused. If a herdsmen discussed the federal budget, emotions were aroused. Now, when bathrooms are discussed, emotions are aroused. It was made into a political issue. Bathrooms became a stimulus. The herd was conditioned to arouse emotions at the sound of the word. To simplify, the decision has been removed from the property owner and conflict has been institutionalized.

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