Psychologists believe that children learn to control their bladders .
during sleep through classical conditioning, a type of learning in which an .
organism comes to associate different events. Normally, a wet bed or diaper .
causes a child to awaken. Through repeated pairings, bladder tension becomes .
associated with the sensation of wetness and children wake up when they .
sense that the bladder is full. .
Imagine that you are baby-sitting a 6-year-old bed-wetter who has .
not yet learned the connection between bladder tension and wetness. In .
desperation, the child's parents consult a behavioral psychologist who has .
developed a classical conditioning technique for controlling bed-wetting, .
using a special sheet containing fine electric wires. When a sleeping child .
wets the bed, the urine (which conducts electricity) immediately completes .
an electrical circuit and causes a loud bell to ring, awakening the child. .
Over time, bladder tension becomes associated with the bell and the child is .
conditioned to wake up before actually wetting the bed. .
Although the parents have read a pamphlet that explains the basic .
principles underlying the conditioning technique, they are seeking your help .
in understanding exactly why it works. .
1. Identify the components of classical conditioning for children who .
learn to wake up they wet the bed without special training. .
Unconditioned stimulus: A wet bed or diaper.
Unconditioned response: The child awakens.
Conditioned stimulus: Bladder tension/bladder full sensation .
Conditioned response: The child awakens.
2. Identify the components of classical conditioning for children who .
are conditioned to wake up through the use of the special sheet and bell. .
Unconditioned stimulus: Loud bell ringing due to wetness.
Unconditioned response: The child awakens.
Conditioned stimulus: Bladder tension/bladder full sensation.
Conditioned response: The child awakens.
