Pavlovian reactions aren't just for dogs - Benjamin N. Witts
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Dr. Ivan Pavlov’s groundbreaking work revealed that a dog will respond to neutral stimuli, such as a bell, in the same way that it will respond to, say, mouth-watering food. This research is widely applicable beyond a dog’s salivation. Benjamin N. Witts sketches a few situations in which people are conditioned to react in a Pavlovian way, from dating to parenting.
When someone is on a first date, it is a good idea to do something exciting (like ride a rollercoaster) and have a really nice meal together. Why do you think the date should occur in that order (rollercoaster then dinner)? Also, in relation to reflexive responses, why would the rollercoaster experience be a good idea? (Hint: Think about the response to each event and why you want to be paired with that.)
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Meet The Creators
- Director Adam Taylor
- Educator Benjamin N. Witts
- Narrator Benjamin N. Witts
